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An Evaluation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) Runoff from Highways Into Estuarine Wetlands of South Carolina

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Abstract

This study investigated the concentrations and potential toxicity of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) associated with highway runoff into adjacent estuarine wetlands from road segments representing three levels of average daily traffic (ADT): low (<5,000 ADT), moderate (10,000–15,000 ADT), and high use (>25,000 ADT) based on SC Department of Transportation data. Sediments from three estuarine wetland habitats (tidal creeks, Spartina marsh, and mud flats) adjacent to these road segments were sampled to represent nine highway use class/habitat type combinations. Surficial sediments were collected at 3, 25, and 50 meters from the upland/wetland interface along transects established perpendicular to the road at each site, with additional samples taken from the road berm. Average PAH concentrations, representing 25 compounds, ranged from 3.9 to 11,000 ng/g dry weight. Berm samples had significantly greater total PAH concentrations than samples taken in any of the wetland habitats. Average total PAH concentrations decreased with increasing distance from the road berm within the wetland habitats sampled, but the differences were not statistically significant. Average total PAH concentrations also were not significantly different among the wetland habitats compared. Analysis of PAH profiles indicated that the PAH source was dominated by pyrogenic combustion products rather than from petrogenic sources. This, combined with the presence of dibenzothio-phene, which is a tire oxidation product, indicated that the primary source of PAHs was related to vehicles. Two sites with total PAH concentrations exceeding published bioeffects levels were resampled for bioassay tests using the amphipod Ampelisca verrilli, the polychaete Streblospio benedicti, and the clam, Mercenaria mercenaria, with the first two assays conducted under UV lighting since previous studies had demonstrated enhanced UV toxicity of PAHs for these species. No toxicity was observed in the amphipod or polychaete assays. Toxicity was observed in the juvenile clam assay at one site, possibly due to the combined effects of PAHs and other contaminants present.

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Acknowledgments

We thank several individuals who assisted in the field and laboratory efforts. SC Department of Natural Resources, Marine Resources Division staff included: Leona Forbes, Lisa McLean, Pam Jutte, Steve Burns, Lynn Zimmerman, Stacie Crowe, Mandy Fergusen, and Spodra Eglite. NOAA/NOS Center for Ecosystem Health and Biomolecular Research staff included: Allan Clum, Peter Jenkins, Lynn Thorsell, and Brian Shaddrix. We also would like to thank Wayne Hall, the South Carolina Department of Transportation Project Manager, for his support and providing contacts within the SCDOT for some of the data products we required. Most of our funding was provided under Cooperative Agreement No. 026280 between the SCDOT and the SCDNR. Finally, we thank Pam Jutte (SCDNR), John Kucklick (NIST), Marion Sanders, Tom Siewicki, Pete Key (NOAA-NOS), and two anonymous reviewers for their technical comments and suggested modifications to earlier drafts of this document. This manuscript is Contribution No. 558 from the Marine Resources Center.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Marine Resources Research Institute, P.O. Box 12559, Charleston, South Carolina, 29412, USA

    R. F. Van Dolah, G. H. M. Riekerk & M. V. Levisen

  2. Center for Coastal Environmental Health and Biomolecular Research, NOAA National Ocean Service, 219 Ft. Johnson Rd, Charleston, South Carolina, 29412, USA

    G. I. Scott, M. H. Fulton, D. Bearden & S. Sivertsen

  3. South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Quality, Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, 1362 McMillan Ave, Suite 400, Charleston, South Carolina, 29405, USA

    K. W. Chung & D. M. Sanger

Authors
  1. R. F. Van Dolah
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  2. G. H. M. Riekerk
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  3. M. V. Levisen
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  4. G. I. Scott
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  5. M. H. Fulton
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  6. D. Bearden
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  7. S. Sivertsen
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  8. K. W. Chung
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  9. D. M. Sanger
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Correspondence to R. F. Van Dolah.

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Van Dolah, R., Riekerk, G., Levisen, M. et al. An Evaluation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) Runoff from Highways Into Estuarine Wetlands of South Carolina. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 49, 362–370 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-004-0210-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-004-0210-1

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