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RUcore Resource Object
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TitlePolycyclic hydrocarbon contamination in and around the Arthur Kill, Staten Island, New York
NameRustic, Gerald Thomas (author), Rodenburg, Lisa (chair), Reinfelder, John (internal member), Huang, Weilin (internal member), Rutgers University, Graduate School - New Brunswick,
Degree Date2011-01
Date Created2011
SubjectEnvironmental Sciences,
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons--New York,
Arthur Kill (N.J. and N.Y.)--Environmental conditions,
Staten Island (New York, N.Y.)--Environmental conditions
DescriptionPolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous environmental contaminants. PAHs are often found in industrialized and urbanized areas as a result of industrial processes, combustion of carbon-bearing compounds, and urban runoff. The area surrounding the Arthur Kill in Staten Island, New York, is an area with a long history of industrial activity, pollution, and anthropogenic contamination. The area is known to have elevated levels of metal pollution which has impacted the benthic infaunal community dynamics. The purpose of this study is to determine the levels of PAHs present in sediments in and around the Arthur Kill, and to determine if the levels of PAHs present have affected benthic macroinfaunal community structure. Sediment PAH concentrations were measured using isotope dilution mass spectrometry, and the effects of that contamination on community structure were determined using linear regression, Principal Component Analysis (PCA), and Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA). Organic carbon normalized PAH concentrations ranged from 45 to 211 ug/g organic carbon, below concentrations considered dangerous. No significant relationship was found between benthic macrofauna biomass or abundance using the various statistical methods, suggesting that PAH contamination is not a driving factor in the community composition in and around the Arthur Kill.
NoteM.S.
NoteIncludes bibliographical references
Noteby Gerald Thomas Rustic
Genretheses
Persistent URLhttp://hdl.rutgers.edu/1782.1/rucore10001600001.ETD.000057676
Languageeng
CollectionGraduate School - New Brunswick Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Organization NameRutgers, The State University of New Jersey
RightsThe author owns the copyright to this work.