Eva J. Hoffman

Stormwater runoff from highways

During four rain events, stormwater runoff samples from Interstate Highway 95 in Rhode Island were collected and analyzed for petroleum hydrocarbons, 14 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and a variety of trace metals. The concentrations were variable throughout the storm events and some of the components responded similarly and others differently depending on the source and form of the component in the runoff. Loading factors as a function of area and traffic volume were developed from the concentration and flow data. Application of the highway runoff loading factors to the Pawtuxet River adjacent to this interstate highway suggests that highway runoff could be the source of over 50% of the annual pollutant loads of solids, PAHs, Pb, and Zn entering this river. It is recommended that highways as a source of non-point pollution to receiving waterbodies should be included as a part of any river and estuarine water quality management planning exercise.

Further consideration of alkali and alkaline earth geochemistry of marine aerosols: Results of a study of marine aerosols collected on Bermuda

Abstract An examination of the concentrations of alkali and alkaline earth metals in marine aerosols collected on Bermuda showed that the samples contained a highly variable dust content. This dust component in the samples was found to resemble average soil more than the average crust with respect to alkali/Fe ratios; its Ca/Fe ratio was found to vary with air mass trajectory; and the Na concentration in the dust was found to interfere with the use of Na as a reference element for sea salt. The sea salt component, after correction for the dust component, showed no significant enrichments of alkali and alkaline earths relative to their seawater source.

Treatment of solids and petroleum hydrocarbons in storm runoff with an on-site detention basin.

Storm generated runoff pollution in urban areas is a significant problem for water quality planners. Previous studies have characterized the inorganic and organic constituents in urban runoff, and it was shown that many of these pollutants are susceptible to quiescent settling and removal from the water column. Detention basins, either natural or manmade, are comparatively inexpensive management practices for the control of urban runoff pollution. The present study assessed a detention basin for its effectiveness in treating petroleum hydrocarbons, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and suspended solids from runoff at a shopping center parking lot.

Total hydrocarbons, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and synthetic organic compounds in the Hard shell clam, Mercenaria mercenaria, purchased at commercial seafood stores

Abstract An analytical method for the determination of polycyclic aromatic h hydrocarbons (PAHs) and substituted benzotriazoles in clams was developed using a combination of silica gel and Sephadex chromatography to isolate these compounds from large concentrations of polyolefinic hydrocarbons. The concentrations of total hydrocarbons, PAHs and substituted benzotriazoles were measured in hard shell clams (Mercenaria mercenaria) purchased from Rhode Island seafood stores. The levels of total hydrocarbons, PAHs and substituted benzotriazoles in these clams were generally higher than the concentrations found in clams collected from a lower Narragansett Bay control location. The significance of these findings on the health of consumers is unknown at this time because human health standards or alert levels for these compounds in seafoods have not been established. However, this study illustrates that contaminants entering Narragansett Bay from a variety of sources may eventually make their way to commercial outlets.

Gas chromatographic analyses of Argo Merchant oil and sediment hydrocarbons at the wreck site

Abstract Hydrocarbon concentrations were determined in surface sediments in the vicinity of the Argo Merchant wreck site. Of the 4000 km 2 area surveyed, contaminated sediments were found in a 10–15 km 2 section around the wreck site in February 1977. The contamination was in the form of small tar particles (or oil droplets) inhomogeneously mixed into the sandy sediments by the turbulent shoal tidal currents. Although there was no clear trend of hydrocarbon concentrations as a function of depth, contamination extended at least to 8–13 cm in depth. Stations which were contaminated in February were reoccupied on a cruise in July 1977. Only one station showed any trace of hydrocarbon contamination and this level was significantly lower than found at this site in February.

Field and laboratory methods for investigating a marine gasoline spill.

Samples of water and bivalve mollusks were collected during the 2-day period immediately following a spill of gasoline in Block Island Sound, RI, and were analyzed by gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. These analyses showed gasoline compounds in the water column at concentrations up to 20 pg/L even though a visible slick was not present. Additionally, very low levels of hydrocarbons, which might have originated from the gasoline spill, were detected in bivalves from the area. The analytical protocol used for examining these water samples was carefully evaluated for its expediency and accuracy in detecting gasoline compounds in a field sampling situation. The method proved to be rapid, introduced only minimal levels of contamination, and consistently returned 60% of the gasoline compounds. Although it is difficult to quantitatively handle volatile organic compounds in a field sampling situation, this study indicated that a marine gasoline spill could be quickly and efficiently monitored by using the described methods.

WASTE LUBRICATING OIL DISPOSAL PRACTICES IN PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND: POTENTIAL SIGNIFICANCE TO COASTAL WATER QUALITY

Abstract A 1979–80 survey of Providence, R.I., residents indicated that approximately 35 percent changed their own automotive lubricating oil, disposing of this oil by a variety of methods. The most popular method of disposal reported by the respondents was putting the oil in the garbage can (41 percent), followed by dumping it in their backyard (30 percent), pouring it down sewers or storm drains (8 percent), giving it to a service station (7 percent), pouring it on the road (5 percent), and taking it to a town dump (3 percent). The practice of pouring the waste oil on the road or into sewers on a weight basis can account for 44 metric tons of petroleum hydrocarbons discharged into the citys combined storm and sanitary sewage treatment system. This amount could account for approximately 19 percent of the total hydrocarbons discharged annually by this plant. Providence residents indicated a high degree of willingness to participate in a recycling program under consideration by the State Legislature of Rh...

Oil spills in Narragansett Bay: Comparison between federal and state records☆

Abstract Oil spill response in the US is divided among several jurisdictions due to separate and overlapping legislative and regulatory authority. In Rhode Island, data concerning oil spill incidents are kept by two agencies of the federal government and by one agency of the state government. Narragansett Bay and its tributaries are geographically in three jurisdictions; however, because of a tradition of good interagency cooperation, there were very few duplications in spill response. Because each agency has differing expertise and equipment, the types of spill incidents reported by each, if considered separately, present an entirely different picture of the nature of oil spills in this region. Assessment of oil spills as a source of pollution to coastal waters requires examination of all data, not only that from one agency. For Narragansett Bay and its tributaries, oil spills were a minor part of the total oil pollution budget.