Abstract
A large number of organic compounds were identified in sediments and suspended solids from St. Louis Bay in the Duluth harbor. Most of the organic compounds appeared to be naturally occurring plant decomposition products consisting of non-halogenated hydrocarbons, organic acids, aldehydes, ketones, amines, esters, alcohols, and phenols. However, the presence of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) were confirmed by GC/MS methods. Particulate levels of PAH compounds such as fluorene, fluoranthene, and pyrene were found to lie in the 0.2 to 3 μg/g range. PCBs associated with suspended particles from St. Louis Bay and the Superior harbor were at concentrations of 0.2 to 0.9 μg/g and less than 0.1 μg/g, respectively. Measurements of PCBs in water from the St. Louis Bay showed an average value of 19 ng/L. Considering the concentration of PCBs in water and particulates in conjunction with average suspended solids levels, it was calculated that 81% of the PCBs were dissolved in water and 19% associated with suspended particles. It was estimated that suspended solid transport of PCBs and PAH to Lake Superior is less than 0.01% of airborne transport.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
