We are trying to start a project that faces three main objectives:
1. We are trying to determine PAHs (benzo(a)pyrene, anthracene, fluoranthene, benzo(b)fluoranthene, benzo(ghi)perylene, benzo(k)fluoranthene, indeno(123cd)pyrene, naphtalene) background levels in freshwater surface water bodies. We have data from monitoring of these PAHS in water and sediment matrices and we have data only for BaP for biota matrix. We have also acces to data for land cover. We have no data from literature about PAHs levels in the sepcific waterbodies.
Can anyone advise on methodology to determine PAHs natural background levels, any models that can be supplemented by monitoring data? What other data do we need to prepare the model and the methodology?
2. We are trying to localize natural sources of PAHs emission. The natural sources need to be implemented in the calculation of natural background levels.
What would be the best way to do it? Which data can we use to find the natural sources of PAHs?
3. We are also trying to determine transport pathways of PAHs into given water bodies based on the data we have already collected. Probably, besides data we have already (monitoring and land cover) we need also digital elevation model. What else do we need to determine these pathways?
Any relevant papers, outcomes from projectes you have taken part in and links or information would be much appreciated.
Many thanks
Michal
In Washington State USA, we have developed a method to identify natural and regional background concentrations for dioxin/furans, cPAHs, and PCBs. I will attach the one developed for the Northern Olympic Peninsula. We also developed background reports for Bellingham Bay, Port Gardner, Lake Washington, and South Puget Sound (draft). These reports can be found at the Ecology website at "https://ecology.wa.gov/Regulations-Permits/Guidance-technical-assistance/Sediment-technical-resources-for-sediment-cleanup". Just copy and paste the link to your browser and it should take you there. . In terms of tracing sources in sediment we use a method called "Chemometrics". These documents can also be found at the Ecology website. If you have any problems finding these documents , let me know and I will send them to you. As you can see these are large files and I am not sure RG can handle more than one at a time. While all these documents deal with sediment, I don't see why they cannot be used in other media as well. Good Luck, Pete.
Is it wrong to call it natural background levels if the processes producing them are anthropogenic (PCB, dioxin)? How about diffuse background levels? Although PAHs can be produced naturally in bushfires etc..
The questioner should have asked for baseline data, not natural background levels as attested by Haarstad. In this way, they still have a reference with which to compare their findings, as the baseline data becomes their reference point.
While this is an older document it seems comprehensive and might help you. Pete
Michael, Attached is the chemometrics report the Departmentof Ecology had prepered for tracing dioxins/furans. It would also work for PAHs. Pete
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