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dc.contributor.advisorPhilip Gschwend.en_US
dc.contributor.authorFlores, Amparo E. (Amparo Espino), 1975-en_US
dc.date.accessioned2009-06-30T18:24:42Z
dc.date.available2009-06-30T18:24:42Z
dc.date.copyright1998en_US
dc.date.issued1998en_US
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/46242
dc.descriptionThesis (M.Eng.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 1998.en_US
dc.descriptionIncludes bibliographical references (leaves 81-87).en_US
dc.description.abstractThis study used a relatively new sampling tool called semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs) to quantify dissolved concentrations of the following polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in three locations of the Boston Inner Harbor: phenanthrene, methylphenanthrene's, fluoranthene, pyrene, benz(a)anthracene, and chrysene. The field measurements ranged from 0.61 to 90 ng/L for the various PAHs at the base of Tobin Bridge, the mouth of Chelsea River, and near the Logan Airport. A vertical gradient in PAH concentrations was observed at the base of Tobin Bridge, revealing a concentration ten times greater in the upper layer (4 m from the surface) than the lower layer (8 m from the surface). The concentrations increased with distance from the mouth of the Inner Harbor. The ratios of methyphenanthrene's-to-phenanthrene and pyrene-to-fluoranthene were calculated as possible indicators of source and transport behavior. In all three sites, methylated phenanthrene levels were found to be about twice that of phenanthrene levels, indicating that one of the main sources of low molecular weight PAHs into these sections of the harbor is of petrogenic origin. The abundance of small analytes in the samples suggested a low-molecular weight petroleum source such as diesel, creosote, and/or coal tar. The ratios of pyrene-to-fluoranthene suggested another type of origin. Based on the pyrene-tofluoranthene ratios obtained here, Boston air, street dust, and creosote are also potential major primary sources of PAHs in the study area. SPMDs appear to be a useful tool for quantifying dissolved PAHs in the field. The measurements obtained in this study were in good agreement with the results of a box model and 3-D hydrodynamic model of PAH concentrations in the Inner Harbor.en_US
dc.description.statementofresponsibilityby Amparo E. Flores.en_US
dc.format.extent120 leavesen_US
dc.language.isoengen_US
dc.publisherMassachusetts Institute of Technologyen_US
dc.rightsM.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.en_US
dc.rights.urihttp://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582en_US
dc.subjectCivil and Environmental Engineeringen_US
dc.titleAssessing the fate of PAHs in the Boston Inner Harbor using semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs)en_US
dc.title.alternativeAssessing the fate of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the Boston Inner Harbor using semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs)en_US
dc.typeThesisen_US
dc.description.degreeM.Eng.en_US
dc.contributor.departmentMassachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineeringen_US
dc.identifier.oclc42025825en_US


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