Abstract
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) Mussel Watch Program (MWP), conducts basin-wide monitoring and place-based assessments using dreissenid mussels as bioindicators of chemical contamination in the Laurentian Great Lakes. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) body burden results for the period 2009–2018 were combined into one dataset from multiple MWP studies allowing for a robust characterization of PAH contamination. Patterns in PAH data were identified using descriptive statistics and machine learning techniques. Relationships between total PAH concentration in dreissenid mussel tissue, impervious surface percentages, and PAH relative concentration were identified and used to build a predictive model for the Great Lakes Basin. Significant positive correlation was identified by the Spearman’s rank correlation test between total PAH concentration and percent impervious surface. The findings support the paradigm that PAHs are primarily derived from land-based sources. Offshore and riverine locations had the lowest and highest median total PAH concentrations, respectively. PAH assemblages and ratios indicated that pyrogenic sources were more predominant than petrogenic sources and that PAHs at offshore sites exhibited relatively more weathering compared to inshore sites.
Highlights
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a ubiquitous suite of environmental contaminants, comprised of aromatic rings, produced mainly from incomplete combustion of organic materials during natural events or anthropogenic activities
Distinct compound relationships extend to sources of PAHs. We explore these relationships by using relative concentration, to normalize each sample, for comparison (Shields et al, 2015)
We present information on PAHs relevant to the Great Lakes, using multiple statistical techniques to characterize data, identify patterns, predict levels of elevated PAH concentration, and provide context for comparison to past results
Summary
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a ubiquitous suite of environmental contaminants, comprised of aromatic rings, produced mainly from incomplete combustion of organic materials during natural events or anthropogenic activities. PAHs are comprised of compounds with different molecular structures (alkylation, number of aromatic rings) and physical properties (molecular weight, vapor pressure, water solubility, octanol water partitioning coefficient), which in turn affect their fate and transport in the environment (Schwarzenbach et al, 1993). The molecular structure and associated physical properties make PAHs hydrophobic and persistent in aquatic environments (Neff, 1979; Schwarzenbach et al, 1993). PAHs, due to their hydrophobicity, tend to adhere to particulate matter and enter the aquatic environment by atmospheric deposition, runoff, or direct point source discharge (McElroy, 1989). Deposition of PAHs associated with vehicular exhaust primarily occurs along roadways linking elevated PAHs to impervious surfaces and urban areas (Harrison & Johnston, 1985; Hewitt & Rashed, 1990)
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