Primary sources and toxicity of PAHs in Milwaukee-area streambed sediment
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Abstract
High concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in streams can be a significant stressor to aquatic organisms. To understand the likely sources and toxicity of PAHs in Milwaukee-area streams, streambed sediment samples from 40 sites and parking lot dust samples from 6 sites were analyzed for 38 parent PAHs and 25 alkylated PAHs. Diagnostic ratios, profile correlations, principal components analysis, source-receptor modeling, and mass fractions analysis were used to identify potential PAH sources to streambed sediment samples, and land-use analysis was used to relate streambed sediment PAH concentrations to different urban-related land uses. On the basis of this multiple lines-of-evidence approach, coal-tar pavement sealant was indicated as the primary source of PAHs in a majority of streambed sediment samples, contributing an estimated 77% of total PAHs to samples, on average. Comparison to the Probable Effect Concentrations and (or) the Equilibrium Partitioning Sediment Benchmark indicates that 78% of stream sediment samples are likely to cause adverse effects to benthic organisms. Laboratory toxicity tests on a 16-sample subset of the streambed sites using the amphipod Hyalella azteca (28-day) and the midge Chironomus dilutus (10-day) measured significant reductions in one or more biological endpoints, including survival, in 75% of samples, with H. azteca more responsive than C. dilutus.
Study Area
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Primary sources and toxicity of PAHs in Milwaukee-area streambed sediment |
| Series title | Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry |
| DOI | 10.1002/etc.3694 |
| Volume | 36 |
| Issue | 6 |
| Year Published | 2017 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry |
| Publisher location | New York, NY |
| Contributing office(s) | Wisconsin Water Science Center |
| Description | 14 p. |
| First page | 1622 |
| Last page | 1635 |
| Country | United States |
| State | Wisconsin |
| City | Milwaukee |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |