A MODEL OF THE FATE OF POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC-HYDROCARBONS IN THE SAGUENAY FJORD, CANADA

A comprehensive mass balance model is described that simulates the fat e of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the Saguenay Fjord in eastern Quebec, Canada. The receiving environment is segmented into fi ve compartments that are connected by upstream and downstream flows. E ach segment consists of a layer of surficial sediment and a water colu mn exposed to the atmosphere. The steady state model provides a method by which defined loadings of PAHs from the atmosphere and industrial sources are combined with other input parameters such as advective flo w and atmospheric deposition rates to deduce quantities, concentration s, and transport and transformation rates. Results are presented for n aphthalene, phenanthrene, and benzo[a]pyrene. The overall environmenta l pathways and simulation results are discussed. The simulated concent rations of benzo[a]pyrene in the sediment ranged from 100 to 315 ng/g, which are in good agreement with reported measurements.