Occurrence and fate of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the coastal surface microlayer.
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were measured in the coastal sea surface microlayer (SML), the sub-surface waters (SSW) and the overlying atmosphere in order to investigate the influence of the SML on contaminant enrichment and air-sea exchange. Samples were collected at two contrasting locations of the NW Mediterranean, one urban influenced (off Barcelona, Spain) and another comparatively clean (off Banyuls-sur-Mer, France). Statistical data analysis confirmed the accumulation of PAHs in the SML with respect to the SSW (20.3+/-9.1 vs. 13.1+/-10.0 ng L(-1) in the dissolved phase; 709+/-207 vs. 158+/-111 ng g(-1) in the particulate phase). This accumulation was higher at the contaminated location (Barcelona station) compared with the more pristine one, with PAH enrichments 1.5 and 4.5 times higher for the dissolved and particulate phases, respectively, indicating that the enrichment of PAHs in the SML is dominated by particle transport processes.
Guitart
Carlos
C
Department of Environmental Chemistry, IIQAB-CSIC Jordi Girona, 18-26, E-08034 Barcelona, Spain.
García-Flor
Nuria
N
Bayona
Josep M
JM
Albaigés
Joan
J
D000336:Aerosols / Q000032:analysis; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005740:Gases / Q000032:analysis; D008522:Mediterranean Sea; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D012623:Seawater / Q000032:analysis*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism
D000336:Aerosols; D005740:Gases; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical