Coupling of Organic Pollutants Between the Estuary and Continental Shelf and the Sediments and Water Column in the New York Bight Region

Abstract

The composition and distribution of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), poly-chlorinated biphenyls (PCB), and coprostanol in suspended particulate matter in the Hudson River–Lower Bay–New York Bight system were investigated. Fused silica capillary gas chromatography and gas chromatographic mass spectrometry were employed for PAH, PCB, and coprostanol determinations. Additionally, dredged material and sewage sludge waste deposits from the bight were size fractionated and analyzed. Between the estuary and shelf and between the benthos and water column, chemical flux mechanisms included Hudson River sediment resuspension and bottom water transport within the estuary, sewage effluent input to harbour–river surface waters followed by seaward transport, landward transport of resuspended bight sediment linked to resuspension of PAH-rich dredged material, and possible transport of sewage-associated organics down the Hudson Valley. The composition of PAH and PCB varied with sediment grain size. Dredged materials were rich in pyrogenic PAH, while PAH in sewage sludge were mainly of a petroleum origin. PAH, PCB, and coprostanol levels were decoupled in the water column particles, probably due to differential solubility behavior of the three compound classes.