Distribution and sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the sediments of Lake Erie, Part 1. Spatial distribution, transport, and deposition

Anna Smirnov, Teofilo A. Abrajano*, Alex Smirnov, Allen Stark

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalConference articlepeer-review

60 Scopus citations

Abstract

We examined the spatial distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in Lake Erie, lower Great Lakes. The molecular distribution of parental PAH is combined with their compound- specific carbon isotope signatures to statistically identify three distinctive zones within the lake. Portions of the lake that are immediately adjacent to the major cities of Detroit, Cleveland and Buffalo compose the City Zone, characterized by the highest PAH concentrations and 13C-enriched isotopic compositions. The two other clusters partitioned the lake into a southern sector and a northern sector, with the latter exhibiting the lowest PAH concentrations and the most 13C-depleted isotopic compositions. It appears that PAH are fluvially introduced at the three major cities, and are further transported and redistributed by surface and bottom circulation. This contamination superimposed on a natural background, seen in the northern part of the lake, is probably responsible for the observed distribution pattern.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1813-1828
Number of pages16
JournalOrganic Geochemistry
Volume29
Issue number5-7 -7 pt 2
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 1998
Externally publishedYes
EventProceedings of the 1997 18th International Meeting on Organic Geochemistry. Part 2 (of 2) - Maastricht, Neth
Duration: Sep 22 1997Sep 26 1997

Keywords

  • Compound specific isotope analysis
  • Lake sediments
  • Molecular composition
  • Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
  • Principal components analyses
  • Spatial distribution and transport

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Geochemistry and Petrology

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