Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in marine/aquatic sediments

Conference · Tue Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1978 · Prepr., Div. Pet. Chem., Am. Chem. Soc.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6539958

Hites, R A; Laflamme, R E; Windsor, Jr, J G

A quantitative study of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in marine/aquatic sediments was conducted. It was found that there are two transport modes responsible for the world-wide distribution of PAH: 1) resuspension and transport of contaminated sediments found near urban areas; and 2) long-range airborne transport of urban particulates. Data on the PAH concentration gradient in the Massachusetts Bay sediments and on the PAH content of Gulf of Maine basin sediments support the idea of sediment transport, data on the Nova Scotia soils, and the deep ocean support the concept of airborne transport. The details of these transport modes (such as their range) are not fully understood. Rather simplistic, Stoke's Law calculations can give a very approximate distance of transport but cannot be relied on without a more detailed knowledge of particle removal mechanisms. In fact, further developments in this area will require information on the input of specific PAH into the ocean via airborne prticulate matter.

• Research Organization: Massachusetts Inst. of Tech., Cambridge
• OSTI ID: 6539958
• Report Number(s): CONF-780902-P3
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Prepr., Div. Pet. Chem., Am. Chem. Soc.; (United States) Journal Volume: 23:3
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020900* -- Petroleum-- Environmental Aspects
520200 -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AROMATICS
ATLANTIC OCEAN
CANADA
DISTRIBUTION
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
GLOBAL ASPECTS
GULF OF MAINE
HYDROCARBONS
LAND POLLUTION
MARINE SURVEYS
MASS TRANSFER
NORTH AMERICA
NOVA SCOTIA
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION
POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
SEA BED
SEAS
SEDIMENTS
SURFACE WATERS
WATER POLLUTION