Abstract:
Various sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were analyzed that
potentially influenced contamination levels in sediments from the Anacostia River in
Washington, DC and surrounding area. Sources of PAHs allocated in this study included
coal tar sealcoat, asphalt, rubber tire, gasoline soot, diesel soot, and coal power fly ash.
Extraction of sources and sediments was accomplished by microwave assisted extraction
(MAE) and analyzed on gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Two methods
were conducted to identify major sources of PAHs. The first used isomer ratios, unique
ratios exhibited by studied sources helped identify major contributors of PAH
contamination in sediments. The other method used was a chemical mass balance model
developed by the U.S. EPA, CMB 8.2. This method apportioned major sources of PAHs.
The findings from the methods showed that the major contributors of PAH contamination
in area sediments were from gasoline soot, coal tar sealcoats, and coking emissions.
