A. Smirnov et al., Distribution and sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the sediments of Lake Erie, - Part 1. Spatial distribution, transport, and deposition, ORG GEOCHEM, 29(5-7), 1998, pp. 1813-1828
We examined the spatial distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (P
AH) in Lake Erie, lower Great Lakes. The molecular distribution of parental
PAH is combined with their compound-specific carbon isotope signatures to
statistically identify three distinctive zones within the lake. Portions of
the lake that are immediately adjacent to the major cities of Detroit, Cle
veland and Buffalo compose the City Zone, characterized by the highest PAH
concentrations and C-13-enriched isotopic compositions. The two other clust
ers partitioned the lake into a southern sector and a northern sector, with
the latter exhibiting the lowest PAH concentrations and the most C-13-depl
eted isotopic compositions. It appears that PAH are fluvially introduced at
the three major cities, and are further transported and redistributed by s
urface and bottom circulation. This contamination superimposed on a natural
background, seen in the northern part of the lake, is probably responsible
for the observed distribution pattern. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All
rights reserved.