Abstract:

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentrations in dissolved, suspended and sinking phases were measured in the northern Gulf of Mexico during 2012 and 2013 to estimate rate of loss of particulate PAHs from the water column via sinking fluxes.

Suggested Citation:

Maiti, Kanchan. 2015. Vertical fluxes of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the northern Gulf of Mexico.. Distributed by: GRIIDC, Harte Research Institute, Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi. doi:10.7266/N7N29TXF

Publications:

Adhikari, P. L., Maiti, K., & Overton, E. B. (2015). Vertical fluxes of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Marine Chemistry, 168, 60–68. doi:10.1016/j.marchem.2014.11.001

Purpose:

Dataset was developed to estimate rate of loss of particulate polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from the water column via sinking fluxes in the Gulf of Mexico after the Deepwater Horizon spill.

Data Parameters and Units:

Dissolved Sample Collection Protocol Samples for dissolved PAHs were collected using Niskin bottles. 20 L of water was filtered onto pre-conditioned Solid Phase Extraction disks with C-18 media, EPA approved Method 3535. The disks were then analyzed for PAHs. Particulate Sample Collection Protcol Suspended particles for particulate PAHs analysis were collected by insitu filtration using battery-operated Submersible Pumps. Large volume (500-800 L) of water filtered onto muffled Quartz Microfiber Filter and the filters were analyzed for PAHs. Use of such large volume insitu filtrations to efficiently capture suspended particles are available in Buesseler et al. 2006, Maiti et al. 2012. Flux Sample Collection Protocol Settling particles, to estimate PAHs fluxes, were collected using surface-tethered drifting sediment traps. The design, construction, pre-conditioning, deployment, recovery and sample processing of the sediment traps are available in Lamborg et al. 2008. PAHs Analysis Method Followed Sample extraction and analysis of PAHs using GC/MS were done using standard EPA methods: SW-846 Method 8270C (Method 3542, Method 3535A), SW-846 Method 8270D. References: Puspa L. Adhikari, Kanchan Maiti, Edward B. Overton, Vertical fluxes of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the northern Gulf of Mexico, Marine Chemistry, Volume 168, 20 January 2015, Pages 60-68

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