Abstract
Sediment samples were collected from seven different sites across northeast Ohio for the quantification of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons listed on the Environmental Protection Agency’s priority pollutant list. Analysis of the PAHs from each site was completed using a PAH extraction procedure followed by gas-chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Chromatograms were analyzed with deuterated PAH internal standard solutions and PAH standard solutions of each PAH to determine retention times and conformation ions. The total concentrations of the 16 PAHs from each of the sampled locations had a range of 581.2 to 2956.1 ng/g dry weight of sediment. Both the lowest and highest PAH concentration levels were found from two different Cuyahoga River sites, the lowest being in Summit County and the highest being in Cuyahoga County. Site history suggests hazardous industrial dumping and fires as a source of the PAHs in the Cuyahoga. The results of this study can be used to monitor the quantity of PAHs and manage sources of pollution in the sampled bodies of water.
Advisor
Williams, Rebecca
Department
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Recommended Citation
Chritz, Alyssa Hope, "Analyzing Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) Concentrations in Bodies of Water Across Northeast Ohio as a Marker of Environmental Pollution" (2024). Senior Independent Study Theses. Paper 11134.
https://openworks.wooster.edu/independentstudy/11134
Disciplines
Analytical Chemistry | Biology | Environmental Chemistry | Polycyclic Compounds
Keywords
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, human health risk, sediment analysis
Publication Date
2024
Degree Granted
Bachelor of Arts
Document Type
Senior Independent Study Thesis
© Copyright 2024 Alyssa Hope Chritz