Search

In order to evaluate hydrocarbon inputs to Crater Lake from anthropogenic and natural sources, samples of water, aerosol, surface slick and sediment were collected and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for determination of their aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbon concentrations and compositions. Results show that hydrocarbons originate from both natural (terrestrial plant waxes and algae) and anthropogenic (petroleum use) sources and are entering the lake through direct input and atmospheric transport. The concentrations of petroleum hydrocarbons range from low to undetectable. The distributions and abundances of n-alkanes, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and unresolved complex mixture (UCM) from petroleum are similar for all surface slick sampling sites. The estimated levels of PAH in surface slicks range from 7-9 ng/m2 which are low. Transport of petroleum-derived hydrocarbons from the lake surface has resulted in their presence in some sediments, particularly near the boat operations mooring (total petroleum HC = 1440 µg/kg, dry wt. compared to naturally derived n-alkanes, 240 µg/kg, dry wt.). The presence of biomarkers such as the tricyclic terpanes, hopanes and steranes in shallow sediments further confirms petroleum input from boat traffic. In the deep lake sediments, petroleum hydrocarbon concentrations were very low (16 µg/kg, dry wt.). Very low concentrations of PAH were detected in shallow sediments (17-40 µg/kg at 5 m depth near the boat operations) and deep sediments (3-15 µg/kg at 580 m depth). The individual PAH concentrations in sediments (µg/kg or ppb range) are at least three orders of magnitude less than reported threshold effects levels (mg/kg or ppm range, test amphipod Hyalella azteca). Therefore, no adverse effects are expected to occur in benthic biota exposed to these sediments. Boating activities are leaving a detectable level of petroleum in surface waters and lake sediments but these concentrations are very low. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transport of atmospheric particles with associated terrestrial organic matter to the oceans is an important process affecting various global concerns such as climate change and environmental and human health. Aerosol particulate matter over the oceans is derived from autochthonous emissions admixed with varying amounts of continental effluents. It is important to be able to assess the sources and fate (receptors) of aerosols, and both inorganic and organic tracers are of utility. The organic compounds of atmospheric particles from marine and terrestrial regions can be characterized by specific tracers for (1) natural emissions (marine lipids, vegetation waxes, terpenes), (2) fossil fuels utilization (internal combustion engine emissions, coal burning), (3) biomass burning (taxon specific, wildfires), (4) anthropogenic emissions (industry, urban activity), and (5) soil and desert sand resuspension (agriculture, wind erosion). The precursor--product chemistry can then be used to assess the secondary reactions (thermal or atmospheric) and the fate of aerosol organic matter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Public approval of an environmental analysis and impact assessment project is usually coupled with different conditions that the project is required to meet. Environmental impact assessment (EIA) constitutes an important basis for decisions regarding possible imposition of conditions. The main focus of the present chapter is to clarify the roles that EIAs can have in such decision-making processes. The present chapter discusses and reviews the various types of environmental impacts (natural and man-made); the need for EIA data and its proper handling; the different environmental administrative procedures used in EIA projects; the EIA characteristics (in terms of their goals, impact indicators, impact estimation, applicability); the different EIA methods; and a general conceptual framework that could be applied to any environmental project. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Pollutant-Solid Phase Interactions Mechanisms, Chemistry & Modeling is the property of Springer eBooks and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Pollutant-Solid Phase Interactions Mechanisms, Chemistry & Modeling is the property of Springer eBooks and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Pollutant-Solid Phase Interactions Mechanisms, Chemistry & Modeling is the property of Springer eBooks and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Pollutant-Solid Phase Interactions Mechanisms, Chemistry & Modeling is the property of Springer eBooks and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Pollutant-Solid Phase Interactions Mechanisms, Chemistry & Modeling is the property of Springer eBooks and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)