Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Urban Stream Sediments

Jejal Reddy Bathi,Robert E Pitt,Shirley E Clark

doi:10.1155/2012/372395

Jejal Reddy Bathi, Robert E Pitt + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/372395

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Abstract

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are persistent organic pollutants of high environmental concern with known carcinogenic activity. Although literature documents PAH fate in urban runoff, little is known about their distribution on sediment sizes, which is essential for determining their treatability and fate in receiving waters. This paper has quantified the concentrations of selected PAHs in urban creek sediments and examined possible relationships between sediment PAH content and sediment characteristics, such as particle size, volatile organic content (VOC), and sediment chemical oxygen demand (SCOD). SCOD, VOC, and PAH concentrations of sediments showed a bimodal distribution by particle size. The large diameter sediments had the highest VOC and also had the highest PAH concentrations. The spatial variation of PAH content by sediment sizes also was statistically significant; however, the mass of the PAH material was significantly affected by the relative abundance of the different particle size classes in the sediment mixtures.

Highlights

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a class of frequently detected organic pollutants in urban stormwater runoff
This paper has quantified the concentrations of selected PAHs in urban creek sediments and examined possible relationships between sediment PAH content and sediment characteristics, such as particle size, volatile organic content (VOC), and sediment chemical oxygen demand (SCOD)
This study examined the relationships between the urban creek sediment characteristics such as particle size distribution, Volatile Organic Carbon (VOC), and Sediment Chemical Oxygen Demand (SCOD) with the PAH concentrations

Summary

Introduction

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a class of frequently detected organic pollutants in urban stormwater runoff. According to Huston et al [5], there is an increase in the PAHs and other contaminant flux in traffic and industrial areas compared to outer suburbs, implicating these developments positively influencing PAHs contribution in the runoff. It is important to understand the behavior of PAHs at their source and sink, that is, in stormwater and in nearby streams, in order to address their effective control and remediation. Since contaminated runoff poses a risk to the aquatic environment, the presence of these compounds can result in regulatory demands for sediment assessment and remediation, or requirements for stormwater management controls or treatment [6]

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