Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in water, sediment, and snow, from lakes in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Rhea DT, Gale RW, Orazio CE, Peterman PH, Harper DD, Farag AM. 2005. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in water, sediment, and snow, from lakes in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming. USGS-CERC-91344. U.S. Geological Survey. Jackson, WY
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous in the environment, and can exist at toxic concentrations in relatively remote and isolated areas. Organic chemical burdens and PAHs from anthropogenic activities in Grand Teton National Park (GRTE), Wyoming, may threaten water and sediment quality. The objective of this study was to identify current PAH concentrations in water, sediment, and snow from lakes in GRTE. Water samples were collected at 11 sites, sediment at eight sites, and snow at four sites in GRTE during 2001, 2002, and 2003, and analyzed for 27 PAHs and alkyl/methyl homologs. All samples contained very low concentrations of PAHs and the largest concentrations of total PAHs in water, sediment, and snow, were 320 ng/L , 480 ng/g1, and 600 ng/L1, respectively. There is currently little or no threat to fish, wildlife, or humans, based on concentrations of PAHs in samples collected from GRTE. Most of the water and snow samples contained primarily naphthalene and phenanthrene, indicating some anthropogenic inputs; however, retene and perylene were predominant in the sediment samples, indicating a mostly biogenic composition. The results from this investigation provide valuable baseline information on PAHs that can be used in the assessment of future threats to water and sediment quality in GRTE.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Rhea, Darren; Gale, Robert; Orazio, Carl; Peterman, Paul; Harper, David; Farag, Aida
- Date of Issue
- 2005-02
- Publisher
- U.S. Geological Survey
- Units
- GRTE
- Keywords
- Lakes, pah, Sediment, Snow, Water, Water Quality