Characterization of the sources of petroleum hydrocarbons in Lake Washington

Journal Article · Fri Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1977 · J. Water Pollut. Control Fed.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5374395

Wakeham, S G

Surface sediments (0 to 20 mm) of Lake Washington (Wash.) have been found to contain high concentrations of hydrocarbons (up to about 1500 ..mu..g/g) compared to sediments at depth (> 300 mm) within the sediment column (approx. 30 ..mu..g/g). Most of the hydrocarbons in surface sediments of the lake are believed to be derived from petroleum or its refined products as has been determined by gas chromatography and radiocarbon dating techniques, and by fluorescence spectroscopy. In contrast, those hydrocarbons in sediments deeper than about 300 mm appear to be derived primarily from terrestrial organic matter brought to the lake by rivers and streams, and the level of hydrocarbons in these sediments is thought to be the natural background level for Lake Washington. The presence of petroleum-derived hydrocarbons in the lake sediments correlates with the growth history of the metropolitan area surrounding Lake Washington, and it was thus of interest to survey the possible sources of this petroleum contamination to determine both the character of the sources and their relative importances.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Washington, Seattle
• OSTI ID: 5374395
• Journal Information: J. Water Pollut. Control Fed.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Water Pollut. Control Fed.; (United States); ISSN JWPFA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

520200* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATIONS
AUTOMOBILES
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
HYDROCARBONS
LAKES
MASS TRANSFER
OILS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OTHER ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
POINT POLLUTANT SOURCES
POLLUTION
POLLUTION SOURCES
SEDIMENTS
SURFACE WATERS
VEHICLES
WASTE OILS
WATER POLLUTION