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Azaarenes in Puget sound sediments

1982; Elsevier BV; Volume: 46; Issue: 8 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/0016-7037(82)90274-5

1872-9533

Edward T. Furlong, Roy Carpenter,

Atmospheric and Environmental Gas Dynamics

The first quantitative measurements of azaarenes in marine sediments are reported for Puget Sound, in northwestern Washington State, U.S.A. Two- to four-ring azaarenes, in concentrations as low as 50 ppb (relative to organic carbon), are measured in 210Pb dated sediments using glass capillary gas chromatography combined with nitrogen-selective detection. Azaarene distributions are geographically and temporally variable. Azaarene distributions in upper sediment layers suggest that total azaarene concentrations are related to proximity to urban areas, and may be anthropogenically derived. Subsurface maxima between 6 and 17 cm in several cores resemble similar maxima in PAH and organo-sulfur compounds. Trace quantities of azaarenes present in sediments, deposited prior to urbanization of the Puget Sound region, suggest low-level natural azaarene sources. One core containing particulate coal produced a concentrated and complex azaarene mixture, suggesting either introduction of mined coal or erosion of regional coal deposits. Analyses of possible azaarene sources indicate that although azaarene compositions vary between sources, coal azaarenes can be distinguished from petroleum azaarenes by their ratios of 2-ring to 3-ring azaarenes, and may identify predominant azaarene inputs in environmental samples. Gross differences in azaarene composition exist between European and American air particulates and sediments, suggesting differences in azaarene sources.