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Concentration and Distribution of Specific Siloxanes (D5 and D6) and PAHs in the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers, USA

Authors :
Olivia Ventresca
Ashley Acevedo
Kristina Nicholas
Jonathan Craig
Sophia Carpenter
Christia Fisher
Madeleine Danzberger
Cassidy Williams
Barbara Balestra
Stephen MacAvoy
Source :
Water, Vol 16, Iss 14, p 2059 (2024)
Publication Year :
2024
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2024.

Abstract

The waterways adjacent to Washington DC, USA have a history of contamination from heavy metals, nutrients, pesticides, and industrial chemicals. Among the chemicals of concern are PAHs, which are a historical contaminant but also have modern pyrogenic and petrogenic sources in the area’s waterways. Another group of contaminants that are of emerging interest are siloxanes (silicones), which are widely used as lubricants, sealants, and cosmetics. Some lower-molecular-weight siloxanes are regulated by the EU in recognition of harm to aquatic life, but there are no restrictions in the United States. In fact, studies examining water pollutants do not typically test for siloxanes. Here, we present the concentrations of specific PAHs and siloxanes from surface sediments in the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers (including the Anacostia’s tributaries) collected between 2018 and 2023. Both D5 (decamethylcyclopentasiloxane) and D6 (dodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane) were found in most locations, with concentrations averaging 0.13 and 0.006 mg/g (dry mass), respectively. Pyrene, fluoranthene, bibenzyl, and phenanthrene were also found in the Anacostia and some of its tributaries, with concentrations increasing downstream. In the Potomac, concentrations were generally lower than those observed in the Anacostia. Based on ratios of pyrene to fluoranthene + pyrene, the likely source of PAHs was petrogenic.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
20734441
Volume :
16
Issue :
14
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Water
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.2614a79d745745a49ab28ba3e4305086
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/w16142059