Transects of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and organochlorine pesticides in an urban estuary using passive samplers.

ABSTRACT

Hydrophobic organic contaminants (HOCs) are tracers of anthropogenic impacts, which can negatively affect water quality. The relative importance of new emissions versus the remobilization of HOCs from legacy reservoirs is not well constrained. Polyethylene passive samplers were deployed in vertical profiles at four sites to determine the concentrations and gradients of atmospheric and freely dissolved polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and freely dissolved organochlorinated pesticides (OCPs) in Narragansett Bay, an urban estuary. The concentrations of the sum of 20 PAHs ranged from 4.3 to 240 ng/m3 in the air and 3.2-21 ng/L in the water column, dominated by phenanthrene and pyrene. OCP concentrations varied from below the detection limit to 150 ng/L in the water column. Common OCPs included α-hexachlorocyclohexane, hexachlorobenzene, and aldrin. Gradients displayed net deposition for PAHs, but equilibrium through the water column. Results from this study provided evidence that key OCPs displayed mostly similar concentrations (at or near equilibrium) in the water at both Conimicut Point and Block Island.