Abstract
Concentrations of 12 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in sediment samples from Lake Burley Griffin in the Australian Capital Territory were isolated by solvent extraction and adsorption chromatography and separated by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and quantified using ultraviolet absorbance and fluorescence emission detection. The concentrations of the individual PAH were in the range of 0.5–116 μg kg −1. PAH concentrations were above those found in remote areas of Australia but well below those found in most industrialized and urban areas in Australia and overseas. The relative distributions of PAH and their alkylated homologues in sediment, soil and air particulate samples are emphasized as a means for fingerprinting the major sources of PAH. Gas chromatographic spectral patterns of PAH in the sediments of Lake Burley Griffin were similar to those of PAH in air particulate samples originating from combustion processes. Emissions from automobiles and wood fired home heating units were identified as the only significant combustion processes occurring in the Canberra region.
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