Accumulation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in acid sensitive lakes

Journal Article · Sun Nov 01 00:00:00 EST 1987 · Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0016-7037(87)90370-X· OSTI ID:5284977

Furlong, E T; Cessar, L R; Hites, R A ^[1]

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1. Indiana Univ., Bloomington (USA)

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon concentrations and fluxes were measured in {sup 210}Pb dated sediment cores taken from nine lakes in four regions identified as susceptible to acidification. Calculated PAH accumulations were compared with historic S emissions, accumulation of sedimentary S, and anthropogenic metal accumulations to determine if PAH could be used as an indicator of combustion-derived sulfate deposition. Comparisons between regions indicated that the Adirondacks have a significantly higher burden of PAH than do northern New England, the northern Great Lakes States, and northern Florida. This difference likely results from significant upwind PAH sources to the Adirondack lakes. Detailed investigation of the largest lake in the study set, Big Moose Lake, indicates that PAH may serve as conservative, combustion indicators in large lakes. In this lake, PAH fluxes and concentrations were significantly correlated with historical S emission rates. These data suggest that PAH measured in sediment cores from large lakes can serve as indicators of past combustion production deposition.

• OSTI ID: 5284977
• Journal Information: Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta; (USA), Vol. 51:11; ISSN 0016-7037
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ACID RAIN
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
LAKES
ACIDIFICATION
WATER CHEMISTRY
POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
DEPOSITION
ADIRONDACK MOUNTAINS
ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
COMBUSTION PRODUCTS
FLORIDA
GEOCHEMISTRY
HISTORICAL ASPECTS
LEAD 210
NEW YORK
PH VALUE
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
ALPHA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
APPALACHIAN MOUNTAINS
AROMATICS
ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATIONS
BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BETA-MINUS DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
CHEMISTRY
EVEN-EVEN NUCLEI
FEDERAL REGION II
FEDERAL REGION IV
HEAVY NUCLEI
HYDROCARBONS
ISOTOPES
LEAD ISOTOPES
MOUNTAINS
NORTH AMERICA
NUCLEI
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
RADIOISOTOPES
RAIN
SURFACE WATERS
USA
YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
540120* - Environment
Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)
540320 - Environment
Aquatic- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)