Abstract
Sediment efflux rates of six polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were determined employing a novel boundary-layer flux chamber which concentrates trace organics using solid phase extraction techniques. Sediment cores were collected from the Elizabeth River, Virginia and were monitored over a 48 h period for PAH fluxes into uncontaminated seawater. The observed flux rates were related to solubility and octanol-water partition coefficients (KOW) of the PAHs. Flux rates for the six PAHs varied from 0.028 to 0.646 μg/L/d on a concentration basis and 43.0 to 1,000 μg/m2/d on an areal basis. The resulting flux rate coefficients (k2) were determined to be well correlated to solubility (R2=0.82) and inversely related to KOW (R2=0.75). The empirically determined sediment flux dynamics fit well with theoretical relationships that have been previously established for bioconcentration kinetics and octanol/water partitioning systems. Thus, it appears possible to predict flux rates of other hydrophobic organic chemicals from ambient sediment and water concentrations, KOW information, and the proposed empirical models.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
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 callMore From: Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology
Disclaimer: 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.
