Abstract:

The BP MC252 well failure in the Gulf of Mexico, April 2010 caused concern for crude oil and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAHs) exposure along the sandy beaches of the Florida Panhandle. We began collections of Coquina clams (Donax spp ) from the surf zone of Florida Panhandle beaches to monitor PAH contamination to compliment analysis of surf zone sand samples. These clams had higher levels of PAHs relative to ambient sand, and this allowed us to continue to monitor PAH levels after sand concentrations fell below limits of detection. PAH levels in the Coquina tissues were highly variable, perhaps indicative of the heterogeneous distribution of oil and tar on the beaches and exposure to tar particles. Overall, PAH levels decreased continuously in both sand and Coquina tissues, reaching limits of detection within one year after oil landed on Florida panhandle beaches. Our work suggests these surf zone molluscs may be used to monitor pollutant exposure along high energy sandy beach shorelines.

Suggested Citation:

Snyder, Richard A. 2014. Napthalenes, Phenanthrenes, and Chrysenes in Coquina Clams Donax spp., Bay, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Escambia Counties in Florida, 9-18-2010 to 5-16-2012. Distributed by: GRIIDC, Harte Research Institute, Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi. doi:10.7266/N7833PZW

Purpose:

Monitoring concentrations of PAHs that are characteristic of crude petroleum via detection of naphthalene, phenanthrene, and chrysene and also alkylated naphthalenes, phenanthrenes, and chrysenes in the tissue of coquina (Donax spp.) clams from intertidal beaches in Bay, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Escambia Counties in Florida following the BP MC 252 well failure.

Data Parameters and Units:

ClamTissuefinal.xls-- Metadata: Metadata Identifier Sheet for Naphthalenes, Phenanthrenes, and Chrysenes in Northwest Florida Coquina clams (Donax spp.), Purpose, Dates, Location, Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees), Methods, List of Abbreviations, Responsible Party. [UWF Beach, PCOLA Beach, Perdido Key, Navarre, Panhandle Parks]: Date (MM/DD/YYYY), Site, Replicate (count), # (D, E, F), [Napth 0, Napth 1, Napth 2, Napth 3, Phen 0, Phen 1, Phen 2, Phen 3, Chry 0, Chry 1, Chry 3, Total Napth, Total Phen, Total Chry] (ug/kg), UWF Beach PAH. PAH - Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (also called Polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons) are compounds built from two or more benzene rings Date - The date that the sample was taken Intertidal - Intertidal samples were taken between the high tide mark down to where sand was being washed by waves Media - Material sampled rpl - Indicates replicate sample Sample ID - Unique number given to each sample includes month, day year, and location Sand location - Beach zone where the sample was taken Site - Location of sample’s origin Site ID - Unique number given to each site Naph C0 - ug naphthalene/kg Naph C1 - ug methylnaphthalenes/kg Naph C2 - ug dimethylnaphthalenes/kg Naph C3 - ug trimethylnaphthalenes/kg Tot Naph - ug sum of C+ C1+C2+C3 naphthalenes/kg Ph C0 - ug phenanthrene/kg Ph C1 - ug methylphenanthrenes/kg Ph C2 - ug dimethylphenanthrenes/kg Ph C3 - ug trimethylphenanthrenes/kg Tot Ph - ug Sum of C0+C1+C2+C3 phenanthrenes/kg Ch C0 - ug chrysene/kg Ch C1 - ug methylchrysenes/kg Ch C2 - ug dimethylchrysenes/kg Ch C3 - ug trimethylchrysenes/kg Tot Chry - ug Sum of C0+ C1+C2+C3 chrysenes/kg Total PAH - ug Sum of all detected naphthalenes, phenanthrenes, and chrysenes/kg

Methods:

Collection A Chain of Custody Sheet was filled out for samples. Sand samples were composite samples 1.5-3.0 cm in depth from the surface taken in two areas of the beach and put on ice then stored frozen in the lab. Intertidal samples were taken between the high tide mark to where sand downslope was intermittently exposed by retreating waves. Backshore sand samples were taken from just at the end of the high tide mark for a distance of 5 meters shoreward. Extraction Prior to Extraction the sand was dried overnight at room temperature in a laboratory hood and then extracted. The dried sand received 1 gram of sodium sulfate per 10 grams of dried sand prior to extraction. Extractions were three times with dichloromethane and then dried down at 38 C to 1ml volumes for analysis. GC-FID Analysis PAHs were analyzed by GC-MS (Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry) using deuterated internal standards of naphthalene, phenanthrene, and chrysene for quantification.

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