Assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon input to urban wetlands in relation to adjacent land use.
The relationship between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in wetland surface sediments and adjacent land use was assessed in the Elizabeth River, VA, an urbanized sub-estuary of the Chesapeake Bay. Significant differences (p<0.05) in surface sediment PAH concentration between sites indicated adjacent land use had a substantial influence on PAH concentration in wetland sediments. Wetlands adjacent to parking lots and petroleum industrial sites exhibited the highest PAH concentrations of all wetlands examined. Overall, commercial land uses had the highest PAH concentrations and automotive sources dominated (52-69%) PAH input to wetland surface sediments irrespective of adjacent land use.
Kimbrough
K L
KL
School of Marine Science, College of William and Mary, VA 23062, USA. kimani.kimbrough@noaa.gov
Dickhut
R M
RM
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005618:Fresh Water / Q000737:chemistry*; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000032:analysis*; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis*; D014768:Virginia; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*; D053833:Wetlands
D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical