Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons In Pore Water Research Articles

Techniques for monitoring bioavailable organic pollutants in sediment: Application of poly(methyl methacrylate) as a passive sampler

A poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) passive sampler was applied to harbor sediment to examine whether the substrate could be used as a tool to measure freely dissolved concentrations of contaminants. An ex situ method required at least 1g of PMMA to detect freely dissolved polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in sediment with <100ng/g dry weight. Two weeks were sufficient to reach equilibrium under 180rpm for PAHs with a molar volume of <250cm3/mol. For the in situ method, a deployment time of four months was sufficient to measure PAHs with a molar volume up to 250cm3/mol in the sediment bed. The PMMA passive sampler could be used to measure the bioavailable fraction of PAHs in porewater, reflecting the complex properties of sediment with strong sorption such as black carbons.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in sediment–porewater system from the East China Sea: Occurrence, partitioning, and diffusion

The distribution, partitioning behavior, and diffusion of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) within sediment–porewater system were determined in two cores obtained from the Min-Zhe coastal mud of the East China Sea (ECS). Depth profiles of apparently dissolved PAH levels exhibited greater variabilities, with their elevated levels at depth and a high abundance of two-to three-ring PAHs observed. These distribution and composition patterns were inconsistent with the corresponding sediment PAHs, indicating differences in controlling factors for PAHs present in the system. In addition to compound's hydrophobicity, low detection of heavier PAHs in porewater was possibly correlated with the sediment transport process, as indicated by a relatively high weathering ratio in southern Min-Zhe coastal mud. PAH sorption affinity to the collected core sediments exhibited a generally decreasing trend downcore, as expressed by sediment–porewater partition coefficients. This was consistent with the higher content of porewater PAHs in deep core sediment. The established sediment total organic carbon (TOC)–porewater partitioning profiles in cores were predicted with amorphous organic carbon (AOC)-, coal tar-, and TOC-based distribution models, suggesting a dominant nonlinear sorption of PAHs to AOC. Through activity determinations, PAH diffusion within porewater was elucidated, with significant upward and downward mass transfer for PAHs occurring in both cores. The upward diffusion in the core collected from northern Min-Zhe coastal mud was in significant association with sediment TOC. This suggests that sediment TOC (especially AOC)-desorption of lighter PAHs into porewater, and therefore the possibility of their participation in environmental cycling. Baseline toxicity potential and toxic unit calculations indicated a relatively low exposure risk for benthic organisms to porewater PAHs.

Differential accumulation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in three earthworm ecotypes: Implications for exposure assessment on historically contaminated soils

This study compared accumulation of the 16 US-EPA priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in three different earthworm ecotypes, Amynthas sp., Eisenia fetida, and Lumbricus terrestris, in four historically (> 50 years) contaminated manufactured gas plant (MGP) soils using bioassays. Epi-endogeic deep burrowing and soil ingesting Amynthas sp. accumulated significantly more ∑16 PAHs than any other species (upto 8.7 times more), and epigeic surface dwelling E. fetida showed the lowest ∑16 PAH accumulation. Results indicated the importance of earthworm habit and physiology on PAH partitioning into earthworm lipids. Exposure to soil borne PAHs via the gut, as compared with passive diffusion from pore water, was important in species tested, being most evident in burrowing species Amynthas sp. and L. terrestris and for the desorption-resistant higher molecular weight (HMW) PAHs. Biota-soil accumulation factors (BSAF) were low, as influenced by aging, sequestration and strong PAH sorption to secondary sorptive phases in the historically contaminated soils. Bioconcentration factors (BCFs) calculated from freely dissolved pore water PAH concentrations derived from polyoxymethylene solid-phase extractions (POM) were species specific, indicating stronger relationships with octanol-water partition coefficient (KOW) for Amynthas sp. and L. terrestris than for E. fetida. Modelling demonstrated that KOW values were not a reliable proxy for BCF in equilibrium partitioning theory (EqPT) to predict bioavailability for the range of earthworms tested, being less accurate for E. fetida compared to the burrowing species. The study showed that including burrowing and soil feeding earthworm species, such as Amynthas sp. and L. terrestris, in standard testing would benefit regulatory decisions for more accurate quantification of PAH bioavailability in ecological risk assessment on historically contaminated soils.

Determination of influencing factors on historical concentration variations of PAHs in West Taihu Lake, China

The adsorption of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) by components such as elemental carbon (EC), total organic carbon (TOC), and particles is different, and EC and PAHs are good materials for reconstructing historical human activity patterns and pollution conditions. In this study, the effects of EC (soot and char), TOC and particles of different grain size on PAHs in surface sediments were quantitatively analysed, and their historical concentrations in a sediment core from western Taihu Lake were reconstructed. The contents of soot, TOC, clay, EC and char explained 57.2%, 27.6%, 26.0%, 24.0% and 16.4%, respectively, of the PAH concentrations in surface sediments. The correlation between the soot and PAH levels was significantly higher than that between the char, TOC, and clay contents and PAH levels, and PAHs were mainly affected by the local economic development and human activity, as indicated by metrics of population, highway mileage, coal burning, and industrial output. With the development of the economy of the Taihu Lake Basin, the composition of PAHs in the sediments has changed: the proportion of low-molecular-weight PAHs decreased from 42.4% to 17.5%, and that of high-molecular-weight PAHs increased from 58.7% to 82.5%. The concentration of PAHs in pore water from Taihu Lake over the past 100 years was reconstructed and ranged from 43.1 to 961.2 μg L−1, with an average of 180.7 μg L−1. After China's reform and opening up, the concentrations of various PAHs in Taihu Lake changed from safe to chronic pollution levels. The ratios of lead (Pb) isotopes and the diagnostic ratios of PAHs showed that the main sources of PAHs in western Taihu Lake sediments were human activities such as coal and petroleum combustion.

Evaluating porewater polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-related toxicity at a contaminated sediment site using a spiked field-sediment approach.

Although the complexity of contaminant mixtures in sediments can confound the identification of causative agents of adverse biological response, understanding the contaminant(s) of primary concern at impacted sites is critical to sound environmental management and remediation. In the present study, a stock mixture of 18 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) compounds was prepared to reflect the variety and relative proportions of PAHs measured in surface sediment samples collected from discrete areas of a historically contaminated industrial estuary. This site-specific PAH stock mixture was spiked into nontoxic in-system and out-of-system field-collected reference sediments in dilution series spanning the range of previously measured total PAH concentrations from the region. Spiked sediments were evaluated in 10-d Leptocheirus plumulosus tests to determine whether toxicity in laboratory-created PAH concentrations was similar to the toxicity found in field-collected samples with equivalent PAH concentrations. The results show that toxicity of contaminated sediments was not explained by PAH exposure, while indicating that toxicity in spiked in-system (fine grain, high total organic carbon [TOC]) and out-of-system (course grain, low TOC) sediments was better explained by porewater PAH concentrations, measured using an antibody-based biosensor that quantified 3- to 5-ring PAHs, than total sediment PAH concentrations. The study demonstrates the application of site-specific spiking experiments to evaluate sediment toxicity at sites with complex mixtures of multiple contaminant classes and the utility of the PAH biosensor for rapid sediment-independent porewater PAH analysis. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:893-902. © 2017 SETAC.

Effects-based spatial assessment of contaminated estuarine sediments from Bear Creek, Baltimore Harbor, MD, USA.

Estuarine sediments in regions with prolonged histories of industrial activity are often laden to significant depths with complex contaminant mixtures, including trace metals and persistent organic pollutants. Given the complexity of assessing risks from multi-contaminant exposures, the direct measurement of impacts to biological receptors is central to characterizing contaminated sediment sites. Though biological consequences are less commonly assessed at depth, laboratory-based toxicity testing of subsurface sediments can be used to delineate the scope of contamination at impacted sites. The extent and depth of sediment toxicity in Bear Creek, near Baltimore, Maryland, USA, was delineated using 10-day acute toxicity tests with the estuarine amphipod Leptocheirus plumulosus, and chemical analysis of trace metals and persistent organic pollutants. A gradient of toxicity was demonstrated in surface sediments with 21 of 22 tested sites differing significantly from controls. Effects were most pronounced (100% lethality) at sites proximate to a historic industrial complex. Sediments from eight of nine core samples to depths of 80cm were particularly impacted (i.e., caused significant lethality to L. plumulosus) even in locations overlain with relatively non-toxic surface sediments, supporting a conclusion that toxicity observed at the surface (top 2cm) does not adequately predict toxicity at depth. In seven of nine sites, toxicity of surface sediments differed from toxicity at levels beneath by 28 to 69%, in five instances underestimating toxicity (28 to 69%), and in two instances overestimating toxicity (44 to 56%). Multiple contaminants exceeded sediment quality guidelines and correlated positively with toxic responses within surface sediments (e.g., chromium, nickel, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), total petroleum hydrocarbon). Use of an antibody-based PAH biosensor revealed that porewater PAH concentrations also increased with depth at most sites. This study informs future management decisions concerning the extent of impact to Bear Creek sediments, and demonstrates the benefits of a spatial approach, relying primarily on toxicity testing to assess sediment quality in a system with complex contaminant mixtures.

Bioavailability of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and Environmental Risk (ER) Assessment: The case of the Ogbese river, Nigeria

Pollution from PAHs in porewater and surficial sediments of the rapidly contaminated Ogbese River, Ondo State, Nigeria was investigated. Samples were extracted using Hexane/methylene chloride mixture and the complex PAH mixtures were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. There was greater influence of sediment fine particles (R2=0.978) in partitioning of PAHs over other factors. Total concentration of PAHs in the sediments and porewater ranged 14.45 μg g−1 to 26.78 μg g−1 (n=8, dry weight) and 6.25 μg L−1 to 13.93 μg L−1 (n=8) respectively. The measured partition coefficients (i.e., Koc values) of the individual PAHs between sediment organic matter (SOM) and porewater across all locations ranged from 5.027 (±0.157 SD) to 5.074 (±0.169 SD). The correlation in log Koc (observed vs predicted) for high molecular weight/low molecular weight-PAHs suggests variability in specific interactions and unequal partition efficiencies with SOM under natural condition. Based on equilibrium partitioning and narcosis model, three PAHs {benzo(b)fluoranthene, benzo(a)pyrene and dibenz(a,h)anthracene }has toxic unit (TU) values of concern. These results represent a baseline report for future monitoring programs of PAHs.

Distribution, diffusive fluxes, and toxicity of heavy metals and PAHs in pore water profiles from the northern bays of Taihu Lake.

Pore water plays a more significant role than do sediments in pollutant cycling dynamics. Also, concentrations of pollutants in pore water provide important information about their bioavailability or eco-toxicity; however, very few studies have focused on this topic. In this study, four duplicate sediment cores from three typical northern bays as well as the central part of Taihu Lake were collected to investigate the distribution, diffusive fluxes, and toxicity of heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in pore water profiles, which will be good in understanding the mobility and toxicity of these toxic pollutants and achieving better environmental management. The diffusive fluxes of heavy metals across the sediment-water interface was estimated through Fick's First Law, and the toxicity of heavy metals and PAHs in pore water was assessed by applying a water quality index (interstitial water toxicity criteria unit, IWCTU) and a hazard index (HI), respectively. The average concentrations of Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn in surface pore water were 18.8, 23.4, 12.0, 13.5, and 42.5μgL-1, respectively. Also, concentrations of the selected heavy metals in both overlying water and pore water from Taihu Lake were all lower than the standard values of the environmental quality standards for surface water. The concentrations as the pore water depth increased, and the highest detected concentrations of heavy metals were recorded between 3 and 5cm below the sediment surface. The average diffusive fluxes of these metals were 27.3, 24.8, 7.03, 7.81, and -3.32μg (m2 day)-1, respectively, indicating export from sediment into overlying water, with the exception of Zn. There was a potential risk of toxicity, mainly from Pb and Cu, indicating that heavy metals in pore water had slight to moderate impact on sediment-dwelling organisms by values of the IWCTU and the Nemeraw index. The total PAH concentrations in pore water were higher than those in overlying water, and such gradient implies a potential flux of PAHs from pore water to overlying water. The average HI value of PAHs in surface pore water showed no or low ecological risk. While there may be occasional risk due to the HI values in some sites being greater than 1, the dominant contributors were carcinogenic PAHs. Because of their potential biological impact, heavy metals and PAHs and their comprehensive toxic effects in pore water should be given priority attention to keep the safety of Taihu Lake.

Predicting toxicity to Hyalella azteca in pyrogenic-impacted sediments-Do we need to analyze for all 34 PAHs?

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are major drivers of risk at many urban and/or industrialized sediment sites. The US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) currently recommends using measurements of 18 parent + 16 groups of alkylated PAHs (PAH-34) to assess the potential for sediment-bound PAHs to impact benthic organisms at these sites. ASTM Method D7363-13 was developed to directly measure low-level sediment porewater PAH concentrations. These concentrations are then compared to ambient water criteria (final chronic values [FCVs]) to assess the potential for impact to benthic organisms. The interlaboratory validation study that was used to finalize ASTM D7363-13 was developed using 24 of the 2-, 3-, and 4-ring PAHs (PAH-24) that are included in the USEPA PAH-34 analyte list. However, it is the responsibility of the user of ASTM Method D7363 to establish a test method to quantify the remaining 10 higher molecular weight PAHs that make up PAH-34. These higher molecular weight PAHs exhibit extremely low saturation solubilities that make their detection difficult in porewater, which has proven difficult to implement in a contract laboratory setting. As a result, commercial laboratories are hesitant to conduct the method on the entire PAH-34 analyte list. This article presents a statistical comparison of the ability of the PAH-24 and PAH-34 porewater results to predict survival of the freshwater amphipod Hyalella azteca, using the original 269 sediment samples used to gain ASTM D7363 Method approval. The statistical analysis shows that the PAH-24 are statistically indistinguishable from the PAH-34 for predicting toxicity. These results indicate that the analysis of freely dissolved porewater PAH-24 is sufficient for making risk-based decisions based on benthic invertebrate toxicity (survival and growth). This reduced target analyte list should result in a cost-saving for stakeholders and broader implementation of the method at PAH-impacted sediment sites. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2016;12:493-499. © 2015 SETAC.

A Statistical Evaluation of Sediment Quality Triad Benthic Community Measurements in PAH-Impacted Sediments at a Manufactured Gas Plant Site along the Hudson River

The sediment quality triad (SQT) assumes that three measurements (sediment chemistry, laboratory bioassay, and benthic macroinvertebrate counts) comprise an independent assessment of impact, which when integrated using a weight-of-evidence approach provides a comprehensive assessment of risk. An SQT assessment was conducted on 41 sediment samples collected adjacent to a manufactured gas plant site on the freshwater reach of the Hudson River in New York State. The assessment shows that the benthic macroinvertebrate data did not correlate with either sediment or pore water polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentrations, nor did these data show consistent relationships to the results of laboratory bioassay testing (Hyalella azteca 28-day survival or biomass). The benthic community across the site and reference areas was comprised of few taxa, all of which were pollution-tolerant organisms with tolerance values greater than or equal to five. Only in significantly impacted sediment samples with PAH concentrations in the thousands of milligrams per kilogram, pore water concentrations above 100 toxic units, and visible non-aqueous phase liquid present in the sample did the benthic macroinvertebrate data show a response. In contrast, sediment and pore water PAH measurements and H. azteca toxicity testing provided consistent interpretation of impact. These results illustrate that benthic macroinvertebrate data may contain less information value and be a more challenging line of evidence to interpret in triad studies conducted in certain ecological settings; in this case, a large-order river with a relatively depauperate benthic community dominated by species tolerant of PAHs.

Equilibrium State of PAHs in Bottom Sediment-Water-Suspended Sediment System of a Large River Considering Freely Dissolved Concentrations

In natural waters, the equilibrium state of hydrophobic organic compounds among bottom sediment (BS), suspended sediment (SPS), and water is fundamental to infer their transfer flux and aqueous bioavailability. However, this type of information remains scarce and fragmented. This study systematically evaluated the equilibrium state of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the Yangtze River. Total and freely dissolved concentrations of the 16 priority PAHs in pore water and overlying water (including surface and near-bottom) of the Yangtze middle reaches were investigated, as were the concentrations of attached PAHs in SPS and BS. Results showed that concentrations of total/freely dissolved PAHs, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and SPS in surface water were not statistically different from those in near-bottom water, and the DOC-water distribution coefficients of PAHs in pore water were not statistically different from overlying water. However, significant disequilibrium was found at the sediment-water interface; concentrations of total/freely dissolved PAHs in pore water were 1 to 2 orders of magnitude higher than those in overlying water. This study offers a complete analysis of the potential disequilibrium of PAHs in BS-water-SPS system of large rivers and suggests that distribution of hydrophobic organic compounds between BS and overlying water is essential in controlling their equilibrium state in the BS-water-SPS system of natural waters.

Partitioning of PAHs in pore water from mangrove wetlands in Shantou, China

To investigate the trend of selected polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) partitioning, fifteen pore water samples collected from the sediments of three mangrove wetlands were analyzed, and the partition coefficients and the partition model for the PAHs were determined by the correlation between Koc and octanol–water partition coefficient (Kow). The results revealed that the mean Kp values in inner mangrove wetlands were between 143 and 1031L /Kg; the particulate organic carbon (POC) could strongly adsorb low-ring PAHs; the PAHs partitioning was on a obvious trend transported to particle phase. We suggest that the classic equilibrium model of organic carbon normalized (Kp=Kocfoc) may be used to predict the trend of the selected PAHs partitioning.

Remediation of Contaminated Marine Sediment Using Thin-Layer Capping with Activated Carbon—A Field Experiment in Trondheim Harbor, Norway

In situ amendment of contaminated sediments using activated carbon (AC) is a recent remediation technique, where the strong sorption of contaminants to added AC reduces their release from sediments and uptake into organisms. The current study describes a marine underwater field pilot study in Trondheim harbor, Norway, in which powdered AC alone or in combination with sand or clay was tested as a thin-layer capping material for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)-contaminated sediment. Several novel elements were included, such as measuring PAH fluxes, no active mixing of AC into the sediment, and the testing of new manners of placing a thin AC cap on sediment, such as AC+clay and AC+sand combinations. Innovative chemical and biological monitoring methods were deployed to test capping effectiveness. In situ sediment-to-water PAH fluxes were measured using recently developed benthic flux chambers. Compared to the reference field, AC capping reduced fluxes by a factor of 2-10. Pore water PAH concentration profiles were measured in situ using a new passive sampler technique, and yielded a reduction factor of 2-3 compared to the reference field. The benthic macrofauna composition and biodiversity were affected by the AC amendments, AC + clay having a lower impact on the benthic taxa than AC-only or AC + sand. In addition, AC + clay gave the highest AC recoveries (60% vs 30% for AC-only and AC + sand) and strongest reductions in sediment-to-water PAH fluxes and porewater concentrations. Thus, application of an AC-clay mixture is recommended as the optimal choice of the currently tested thin-layer capping methods for PAHs, and more research on optimizing its implementation is needed.

Partitioning characteristics of PAHs between sediment and water in a shallow lake

Distribution of hydrophobic organic contaminants in abiotic compartments is essential for describing their transfer and fate in aquatic ecosystems. Taihu Lake is the third largest freshwater lake in China. Water quality of Taihu Lake has deteriorated greatly during the last decades and has threatened the water supply. The aim of the present study was to investigate the partitioning of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) among overlying water, suspended particulate matter (SPM), sediments, and pore water in Meiliang Bay, Taihu Lake and to provide useful information for the ecological engineering in this area. Overlying water and surface sediment were sampled from six sites in Meiliang Bay, Taihu Lake, China. Within 72 h of sampling, sediments were centrifuged to obtain the pore water. Overlying water samples were filtered to separate dissolved and SPM samples. After extraction, samples were purified following a clean-up procedure. PAH fraction was obtained by elution with a mixture of hexane: DCM (7:3, V/V) and analyzed by GC/MS. PAHs concentrations in overlying water varied from 37.5 ng/L to 183.5 ng/L. Concentrations of PAHs in pore water were higher than those in overlying water. The total concentrations of 16 priority PAHs in sediments ranged from 2091.8 ng/g-dw to 4094.4 ng/g-dw. PAHs concentrations on SPM were decreased with suspended solid concentrations (SSC). Total PAHs concentrations on SPM varied in the range of 3369.6 ng/g-dw to 7531.1 ng/g-dw. The partition coefficients between sediment and overlying water (log K oc) for PAHs with log K ow<5 were positively correlated with their octanol-water partition coefficients (log K ow) (n=39, r=0.79, p<0.0001). Partition coefficients between sediment and pore water (log K oc′) for all PAHs were also significantly correlated with their log K ow values (n=48, r=0.82, p<0.0001). In general, PAHs derived from combustion sources tend to bind strongly to soot particles in natural sediment. Consequentially, K oc values observed in the natural environment could be orders of magnitude higher than those predicted by linear correlation relationships under laboratory conditions. In the present study, the ratio of log K oc values to log K ow values falls consistently above 1, indicating that the sediment soot carbon in the bay was more attractive for PAHs than n-octanol. The log K oc′ was also higher than that predicted under laboratory conditions, suggesting that the measured pore water PAH concentrations were lower than those predicted. That is to say, not all the sediment PAHs can be available to partition rapidly into sediment pore waters. A variation in soot content is a possible reason. Furthermore, concentrations of PAHs on SPM were higher than those in sediments. The compositions of PAHs on SPM and in sediments were similar, indicating the importance of re-suspension process of sediments in the partitioning process of the shallow lake. The results indicated the equilibrium partitioning model could be used to predict PAHs distribution in various phases of a shallow lake in the stagnation period, but re-suspension processes should be considered to modify the relationship between log K ocs and log K ows. Concentration, particle size and composition of resuspended particles could affect the relationship between log K ocs and log K ows. Further work should be done under field conditions, especially where a steady thermodynamic equilibrium state could be assumed.

Content of potentially bioavailable polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in rhizosphere soil in relation to properties of soils

The aim of the present study was to evaluates the content of mild-solvent extracted fraction of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the rhizospheres of some selected plant species (Cucumis sativa, Daucus carota, Allium cepa, Cucurbita pepo, Petroselinum sativum, Cucurbita sp., Phaseolus vulgaris, Beta vulgaris, Apium graveolens, Allium porrum, Vicia faba). Ten compounds from the US EPA list (phenanthrene, anthracene, fluoranthene, pyrene, benzo[a]anthracene, chryzene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[a]pyrene, benzo[ghi]perylene oraz indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene) were chosen. The polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) content was determined using the HPLC method with UV detection after a preliminary sample treatment with ultrasonic techniques. On the basis of the PAH content, the organic carbon content and the value of log Koc, (equilibrium partitioning model) a soil pore water PAH fractions present in the rhizospheres of the plants studied were calculated too.The content of the fraction extracted with n-butanol within the total of 10PAHs ranged from 55% to 90% (mean 74%). Similarly, as in the case of the total of the 10 PAHs, significant differences in the content of PAHs extracted with n-butanol were also noted for the individual compounds studied. The content of the total of the 10 PAHs as determined from equilibrium partitioning model in relation to plant species ranged from 0.03 to 0.18μg/kg which constituted from 0.07% to 0.15% of the total content of these compounds. No clear relations between soil properties and the content or contribution of potentially bio-available PAH fractions have been observed.

Use of passive samplers to mimic uptake of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by benthic polychaetes.

Experiments were conducted to test whether passive samplers made of low-density polyethylene (polyethylene devices, or PEDs) can estimate the extent of uptake of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) by benthic polychaetes (Nereis virens) in contaminated marine sediments. For a variety of PAHs, PEDs reached 90% equilibrium with sediment PAHs in 60 days or less. Using 60-day sediment bioaccumulation tests, we have demonstrated a significant relationship between PAH concentrations in the polychaetes and the PEDs (R2 = 0.67, p = 0.002), with the PEDs taking up less PAHs than the polychaetes. Because of this relationship, PEDs can potentially be used in a regulatory context to simulate uptake of bioavailable PAHs in contaminated marine sediments. The PED PAH concentrations were also used to calculate porewater PAH concentrations that allowed for the estimation of a linear free-energy relationship between the lipid-water distribution coefficient (Klip) and the octanol-water distribution coefficient (KOW) for PAH uptake in marine polychaetes (R2 = 0.94, p < 0.0001).

Influence of Supplemental Acetate on Bioremediation for Dissolved Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons

The influence of supplemental acetate on in situ bioremediation for the removal of dissolved polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in groundwater was evaluated in laboratory sand columns. Sand columns, inoculated with a soil enrichment culture, were fed with dissolved PAHs (9 mg/L naphthalene, 0.8 mg/L phenanthrene, 0.09 mg/L pyrene), nutrients, and hydrogen peroxide to sustain aerobic microbial growth. Pore water PAH concentration profiles were obtained during the study. Determinations of viable biomass, carbohydrate, and PAH sorption capacity were obtained at the conclusion of the experimental runs. Pore water profiles indicated that PAH biodegradation capability became more quickly established after 45 days in sand columns amended with acetate versus the unamended control. The endpoint pore water PAH concentration profiles were similar for both acetate-amended and unamended columns. Higher biomass in acetate-amended columns increased the overall sorption capacity of the sand medium for PAHs by 24–47%...

Amendment of sediments with a carbonaceous resin reduces bioavailability of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

We evaluated the effectiveness of Ambersorb, a carbonaceous resin, in reducing bioavailability of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in contaminated sediments collected from the field. In laboratory studies, sediment pore-water concentrations of eight unsubstituted PAHs were significantly decreased after resin addition. Reduced PAH concentrations in oligochaete tissues from a laboratory bioaccumulation test, along with increased survival/reproduction and reduced photo-enhanced toxicity and sediment avoidance, also resulted from sediment treatment with Ambersorb. Resin amendment also decreased pore-water PAH concentrations in field deployed sediments but did not improve benthic invertebrate colonization. Prediction of partitioning of PAHs between solid and aqueous phases in the test sediments was complicated by the presence of coal and soot. However, accurate predictions of bioavailability were achieved based on pore-water chemistry. Overall, these studies show that the addition of high affinity sorbents effectively reduces pore-water PAH concentrations and bioavailability and suggests that sorbent addition may serve as an option for in situ remediation of some contaminated sediments.

AMENDMENT OF SEDIMENTS WITH A CARBONACEOUS RESIN REDUCES BIOAVAILABILITY OF POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS

We evaluated the effectiveness of Amersorbb®, a carbonaceous resin, in reducing bioavailability of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in contaminated sediments collected from the field. In laboratory studies, sediment pore-water concentrations of eight unsubstituted PAHs were significantly decreased after resin addition. Reduced PAH concentrations in oligochaete tissues from a laboratory bioaccumulation test, along with increased survival/reproduction and reduced photo-enhanced toxicity and sediment avoidance, also resulted from sediment treatment with Ambersorb. Resin amendment also decreased pore-water PAH concentrations in field deployed sediments but did not improve benthic invertebrate colonization. Prediction of partitioning of PAHs between solid and aqueous phases in the test sediments was complicated by the presence of coal and soot. However, accurate predictions of bioavailability were achieved based on pore-water chemistry. Overall, these studies show that the addition of high affinity sorbents effectively reduces pore-water PAH concentrations and bioavailability and suggests that sorbent addition may serve as an option for in situ remediation of some contaminated sediments.

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Distribution within Lower Hudson River Estuarine Sediments: Physical Mixing vs Sediment Geochemistry

Sediments and porewaters from two cores, one from the East River, New York and one from Newark Bay, New Jersey, were sampled for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and other geochemical markers including210Pb specific activities. Despite what appears to be similar sources of PAHs to sediments within each core as inferred by ratios of alkylated to non-alkylated PAHs and PAH isomer ratios, sediments and associated PAHs have undergone distinctly different depositional processes at each site. Sediments from the core in the East River appear to have been subject to intense physically driven resuspension, resulting in selective depletion of low molecular weight PAHs within the core presumably due to processes such as enhanced desorption and scouring of particle surfaces. Although sediment PAH concentrations were higher in the East River core compared to the Newark Bay core, porewaters were depleted of the majority of PAHs analysed in the East River core relative to the Newark Bay core, precluding quantifying sediment porewater PAH distribution coefficients in this core. Sedimentary variables such as C/N ratio, particle surface area, and sedimentary soot carbon were not related to organic carbon normalized PAH distribution coefficients (KOC)obs. Rather in the core from the Newark Bay site, (KOC)obswere influenced by sediment mixing and porewater dissolved organic carbon (DOC). Results indicate that in urban coastal areas, the physical factors influencing time scales of sediment resuspension and deposition may be of primary importance over particle geochemistry in determining whether PAHs will likely equilibrate between sediments and pore waters.