Sources and fates of aromatic compounds in urban storm-water runoff
- EPA
Petroleum-derived aromatic hydrocarbons and associated sulfur compounds in urban storm-water runoff and Delaware River sediment samples were characterized with a gas chromatograph equipped with a flame ionization/sulfur specific flame photometric detection system. Total petroleum hydrocarbon concentrations were determined gravimetrically in storm water emanating from a northern Philadelphian storm sewer. Comparison of hydrocarbon and sulfur fingerprints of the aromatic fractions of environmental samples with reference oils indicated that crankcase oil was the most likely source of aromatics in storm-water runoff. A weathering study on used crankcase oils showed a loss of diaromatics which accounted for their absence in the environmental samples. Since aromatic sulfur compounds were preferentially associated with particulate matter in urban runoff, a mechanism was proposed in which fuel oils and lubricating oils released to the environment are adsorbed onto particulate matter. The lower boiling diaromatics are lost through natural weathering, and during a storm, the particulates are washed into sewers and then into receiving waters.
- Research Organization:
- EPA; Rutgers Univ.
- OSTI ID:
- 6730181
- Journal Information:
- Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States), Vol. 13:2
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
02 PETROLEUM
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
FUNCTIONAL MODELS
PETROLEUM
HYDROCARBONS
RUNOFF
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
SEDIMENTS
URBAN AREAS
AROMATICS
DELAWARE RIVER
GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
WEATHERING
CHROMATOGRAPHY
ENERGY SOURCES
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
MASS TRANSFER
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
RIVERS
SEPARATION PROCESSES
STREAMS
SURFACE WATERS
520200* - Environment
Aquatic- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)
020900 - Petroleum- Environmental Aspects