Increased Concentrations of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Alpine Streams during Annual Snowmelt: Investigating Effects of Sampling Method, Site Characteristics, and Meteorology

Abstract

Silicone passive samplers and macroinvertebrates were used to measure time-integrated concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in alpine streams during annual snowmelt. The three sampling sites were located near a main highway in Arthur's Pass National Park in the Southern Alps of New Zealand. A similar set of PAH congeners, composed of 2-4 rings, were found in silicone passive samplers and macroinvertebrates. The background PAH concentrations were similar at all sites, implying that proximity to the highway did not affect concentrations. In passive samplers, an increase of PAH concentrations by up to seven times was observed during snowmelt. In macroinvertebrates, the concentration changes were moderate; however, macroinvertebrate sampling did not occur during the main pulse observed in the passive samplers. The extent of vegetation in the catchment appeared to affect the concentration patterns seen at the different stream sites. A strong correlation was found between PAH concentrations in passive samplers and the amount of rainfall in the study area, indicating that the washout of contaminants from snowpack by rainfall was an important process.

Spatial-temporal analysis and risk characterisation of pesticides in Alpine glacial streams

“…This pattern was previously highlighted by Ferrario et al (2017a) and is related to the melting of the annual snowpack deposited on the glacier. Short concentration pulses in receiving water bodies have also been reported as a result of the melting snowpack (Hageman et al, 2006;Bizzotto et al, 2009;Shahpoury et al, 2014;Villa et al, 2014).…”

Applications for Passive Sampling of Hydrophobic Organic Contaminants in Water—A Review

“…[ 231,310] Coastal waters PAHs; PCBs SR alone and alongside other methods (DGT, sediment and grab samples) deployed with biota (mussels and seagrass) in coastal waters to monitor concentrations and bioaccumulation of HOCs. [220,311] Calibration tank PAHs Partition equilibrium and extraction rates for freely dissolved PAHs and SR and blackworms were determined to better understand the principles of bioconcentration of HOCs in aquatic organisms.…”

Evaluation of a Conceptual Model for Gas-Particle Partitioning of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Using Polyparameter Linear Free Energy Relationships

“…Subsequently, they could undergo wet scavenging by rain or snowfall and dry gas and particle deposition, which leads to their accumulation in surface water, topsoil, vegetation, or snowpack. The latter may result in further contamination of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems through snowmelt in short concentration pulses, a preferential elution process that is partly influenced by PAH partitioning in particulate matter (PM) prior to snow scavenging and accumulation in snowpack. The magnitude of PAH wet scavenging is, to a certain extent, controlled by gas-particle partitioning in the air, which in turn is regulated by the substance and PM physicochemical properties, ambient temperature, and relative humidity. − PAH gas-particle partitioning can be explained by various empirical and theoretical models, based on single- or polyparameter linear free energy relationships (sp-, ppLFER).…”