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Environ Sci Process Impacts

Title:		Examining the correlation between quantifiable SVOCs and organic carbon content or particulate size in benthic sediments as a function of ocean stratum
Author(s):		Otim O;
Address:		"Environmental Monitoring Division, City of Los Angeles, 12000 Vista Del Mar, Playa del Rey, CA 90293, USA. ochan.otim@lacity.org"
Journal Title:		Environ Sci Process Impacts
Year:		2020
Volume:		20200305
Issue:		3
Page Number:		812 - 823
DOI:		10.1039/c9em00555b
ISSN/ISBN:		2050-7895 (Electronic) 2050-7887 (Linking)
Abstract:		"The raw analytical concentration values of semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) in ocean sediments do not necessarily reflect the bioavailable fractions of SVOCs in the sediments due to factors such as the total organic carbon content of sediments (TOC) and the percentage of fine particles in sediments (% fines) as they are believed to affect the extraction efficiency of SVOCs from sediments. Corrective actions are therefore taken to minimize their influence on measurements. In doing so, a broad and uniform correlation is assumed to exist between the 'native' levels of SVOCs and TOC or % fines across ocean strata. However, the validity of this blanket assumption is not yet verified. In this study, we examined the strength of the assumption using DDTs, PAHs and PCBs levels in sediments from Santa Monica Bay (SMB), California, USA. (The distribution patterns of these SVOCs in SMB are known and reproducible for quality assurance.) As our results show, a uniform correlation between SVOC levels and TOC or % fines across strata is mostly absent. For example, PAH and PCB levels show negative correlation with TOC or % fines, and only in canyon sediments, DDT levels correlate positively with both TOC and % fines across at least three strata. Furthermore, the distribution of PAH molecules appears to be controlled by molecular size with smaller PAHs being found almost exclusively in the canyons. Our finding here, being the first of its kind, suggests that more work is needed to clarify the reporting of SVOC levels in ocean sediments"
Keywords:		"California Carbon *Environmental Monitoring Geologic Sediments Oceans and Seas *Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons *Volatile Organic Compounds *Water Pollutants, Chemical;"
Notes:		"MedlineOtim, Ochan eng England 2020/03/07 Environ Sci Process Impacts. 2020 Mar 1; 22(3):812-823. doi: 10.1039/c9em00555b. Epub 2020 Mar 5"