Nitrogen-containing aromatic compounds in sediments from a polluted harbor in Puget Sound

• Published in: Environmental science & technology Vol. 20; no. 11; pp. 1144 - 1150
• Main Authors: Krone, Cheryl A, Burrows, Douglas G, Brown, Donald W, Robisch, Paul A, Friedman, Andrew J, Malins, Donald C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC American Chemical Society 01.11.1986
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Exact sciences and technology; Pollution; Pollution sources. Measurement results; Soil and sediments pollution; Gas chromatography; Sediment water interaction; Creosote; Aromatic compound; Water pollution; Harbor zone; Risk analysis; Nitrogen Organic compounds; Soil pollution; Sediments
• ISSN: 0013-936X; 1520-5851
• DOI: 10.1021/es00153a010

Sediments were collected from three contaminated areas in Eagle Harbor, Puget Sound, and from a relatively rural reference site. Extracts of the sediments and a sample of commercially available creosote oil were analysed for nitrogen-containing aromatic compounds (NCAC) by capillary gas chromatography with nitrogen-specific detection, and GC-MS. Organic sediment extracts and the commercial creosote oil were fractionated by silica/alumina column chromatography. No NCAC were detected in sediments from a pristine reference area. Over 90 NCAC were identified in the sediments from Eagle Harbor and in the creosote oil. Concentrations of the NCAC's are tabulated. The total NCAC concentration in Eagle Harbor sediments ranged from about 200 ug to 1200 ug per g sediment (dry weight). Primarily, three-ring and four-ring NCAC were identified, thought to originate from a wood creosoting facility on the shores of the harbour. The presence of high concentrations of NCAC's in sediments posed risks to marine biota because of their known mutagenic, carcinogenic and teratogenic properties. There are 45 references.