Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Input to the Lafayette River System During a Major Tidal Flooding Event in Norfolk Virginia
Description/Abstract/Artist Statement
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Input to the Lafayette River System during a major tidal flooding event in Norfolk Virginia
Felix Radford, Nathan Maynard and H. Rodger Harvey
Dept. of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk. VA
Contact: fradf001@odu.edu
Low-lying coastal areas of Virginia are increasingly prone to inundation as sea level continues to rise. As the water level recedes after flooding events, it can carry contaminants from the land into the waterway. The potential for pollution increases during these events are still poorly understood. Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a broad group of organic contaminants that are known to be carcinogenic to humans and toxic to aquatic life. They originate from the combustion of organic matter, and in urban environments are largely derived from fossil fuels. This project investigated which PAH’s are transported into the Lafayette river during major tidal flooding events, the possible sources of these pollutants, and their accumulation in aquatic organisms. Perigean spring tides, also known as “King tides”, are abnormally high tides that can cause significant flooding in coastal areas such as Norfolk. To understand the potential for pollutant impact, volunteers collected water samples at eight different locations near the Lafayette River for PAH analysis during a King tide event on October 29th, 2022. Sample locations were predominantly near areas of urban infrastructure such as parking lots and roads. As automobiles are major sources of pollutants, we hypothesized that elevated concentrations of PAHs would be present near areas where motor vehicle traffic is highest. In addition, two oyster samples from the Lafayette River were collected for PAH analysis, as they are often used as indicators of contamination accumulation as they filter particles. A sediment sample from South Bay of the Eastern shore of VA was also examined to compare an area outside the system. The samples were filtered to collect particles, extracted with organic solvents, and analyzed using Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC/MS). A suite of PAHs were observed in flood waters, with benzo(e)pyrene, benzo(a)pyrene, benzo(k)fluoranthene, indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene, and chrysene at the highest relative abundance in flood water samples. There was some overlap but also distinctive PAH’s seen in oysters, with benzo(b)fluoranthene, benzo(e)pyrene, benzo(a)pyrene, and naphthalene most abundant in oyster tissues.
Faculty Advisor/Mentor
Dr. H. Rodger Harvey, Dr. Victoria Hill
Faculty Advisor/Mentor Department
Ocean and Earth Sciences Department
College Affiliation
College of Sciences
Presentation Type
Poster
Disciplines
Analytical Chemistry | Oceanography
Session Title
Poster Session
Location
Learning Commons Lobby @ Perry Library
Start Date
3-25-2023 8:30 AM
End Date
3-25-2023 10:00 AM
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Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Input to the Lafayette River System During a Major Tidal Flooding Event in Norfolk Virginia
Learning Commons Lobby @ Perry Library
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Input to the Lafayette River System during a major tidal flooding event in Norfolk Virginia
Felix Radford, Nathan Maynard and H. Rodger Harvey
Dept. of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk. VA
Contact: fradf001@odu.edu
Low-lying coastal areas of Virginia are increasingly prone to inundation as sea level continues to rise. As the water level recedes after flooding events, it can carry contaminants from the land into the waterway. The potential for pollution increases during these events are still poorly understood. Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a broad group of organic contaminants that are known to be carcinogenic to humans and toxic to aquatic life. They originate from the combustion of organic matter, and in urban environments are largely derived from fossil fuels. This project investigated which PAH’s are transported into the Lafayette river during major tidal flooding events, the possible sources of these pollutants, and their accumulation in aquatic organisms. Perigean spring tides, also known as “King tides”, are abnormally high tides that can cause significant flooding in coastal areas such as Norfolk. To understand the potential for pollutant impact, volunteers collected water samples at eight different locations near the Lafayette River for PAH analysis during a King tide event on October 29th, 2022. Sample locations were predominantly near areas of urban infrastructure such as parking lots and roads. As automobiles are major sources of pollutants, we hypothesized that elevated concentrations of PAHs would be present near areas where motor vehicle traffic is highest. In addition, two oyster samples from the Lafayette River were collected for PAH analysis, as they are often used as indicators of contamination accumulation as they filter particles. A sediment sample from South Bay of the Eastern shore of VA was also examined to compare an area outside the system. The samples were filtered to collect particles, extracted with organic solvents, and analyzed using Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC/MS). A suite of PAHs were observed in flood waters, with benzo(e)pyrene, benzo(a)pyrene, benzo(k)fluoranthene, indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene, and chrysene at the highest relative abundance in flood water samples. There was some overlap but also distinctive PAH’s seen in oysters, with benzo(b)fluoranthene, benzo(e)pyrene, benzo(a)pyrene, and naphthalene most abundant in oyster tissues.