The Temporal and Spatial Distribution of Hydrocarbons in Atmospheric Deposition From Stations Surrounding Lower Chesapeake Bay

<p>Hydrocarbon concentrations were determined in bulk, wet, and dry deposition samples from urban and non-urban locations surrounding lower Chesapeake Bay. Mean hydrocarbon concentrations in bulk deposition samples were over three times greater at the urban station indicating a localized source. The major hydrocarbons present were n-alkanes, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), and the unresolved complex mixture (UCM). The PAH and the UCM were an indication of significant anthropogenic inputs while the odd/even distribution of the n-alkanes was an indication of biogenic sources. These findings indicated seasonal trends of highest biogenic hydrocarbon inputs in the spring and summer months and highest anthropogenic inputs in the winter months.</p> <p>The similarity of the hydrocarbons in bulk and dry deposition, the small concentration of hydrocarbons in wet deposition, the large percentage of hydrocarbons associated with particulates, the small washout ratio and the larger size particulates in bulk deposition samples all indicated that dry deposition is the major mechanism for the removal of non-volatile/ high molecular weight atmospheric hydrocarbons.</p> <p>The atmospheric input of anthropogenic hydrocarbons to Chesapeake Bay through atmospheric deposition was determined to be at least 125 metric tons annually. Therefore, aerial input may be a significant source of hydrocarbon pollution to the Bay. Reproduced</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (MS)

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Ocean & Earth Sciences

Year dc:date.available

1982

Author dc:creator

• Webber, David Benjamin

Contributors dc:contributor

• Terry L. Wade
• Robert C. Harriss
• Frank E. Scully, Jr.

• Atmospheric chemistry
• Hydrocarbons
• Chesapeake Bay
• Atmospheric Sciences
• Chemistry
• Environmental Sciences
• Oceanography

Statement dc:rights

• <p>In Copyright. URI: <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a> This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).</p>

Repository record dc:identifier

https://digitalcommons.odu.edu/oeas_etds/90

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digitalcommons.odu.edu:oeas_etds-1092