soybean plants exposed to realistic loadings of 1.7-pm nonhydrated sulfuric acid mist droplets. Further research is needed in this area. Controlled exposure tests where moisture is added as a n experimental parameter are strongly suggested. Increased relative humidity and hydrated droplets to provide an electrolytic pathway for physiological effects to be realized appear to be needed test conditions. Literature Cited Moran, J. B., Manary, 0. J., Fay, R. H., Baldwin, M. J., EPA Air Programs Publication APTD-0949, 1971. (2) Gentel, J. E., Manary, 0. J., L'alenta J. C., EPA Air Programs Publication APTD-1567, 1973.
(1)
(3) Pierson, W. R., Hammerle, R. H., Kummer J. T., SAE Paper 750095, 1974. (4) Likens, G. E., Borman, F. H., Johnson N. M., Environment, 14, 33-40 (1972) . . ~
(5)>acobson, J. S., Van Leuken, P., Proc. Znt. Clean Air Congr., Tokyo, 4th, 4, 124-7 (1977). (6) Middleton, J. T., Bull. W.H.O., 34,477-80 (1966). (7) Tomiya, K., Tanida, S., Aonuma, K., Takahashi, M., Kawana, A., Doi, M., Proc. Jpn. For. Soc., 86,449-51 (1975). (8) Hoagland, D. R., Arnon, R. I., California Agricultural Experiment Service Circular No. 547, 1950. (9) Wedding, J. B., Montgomery, M. E., Int. J . Enuiron., in press. (10) Stukel, J. J., Solomon, R. L. Hudson, J. L., Atmos. Enuiron. 9, 990-9 (1975). (11) Wedding, J. B., Enuiron. Sci. Technol., 9, 673 (1975). Received for reuiew November 27,1978. Accepted March 26, 1979.
Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Baltimore Canyon Fish Ralph A. Brown and Roy J. Pancirov+ Analytical and Information Division, Exxon Research and Engineering Company, Linden, N.J. 07036
This work provides the beginnings of a base-line study with regard to the present level of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons in selected marine tissue of t h e Baltimore Canyon. In case oil and/or gas production ever occurs in the Baltimore Canyon area, data of this type will be useful in establishing if the fish population has been contaminated by polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons. This is extremely important because some of these hydrocarbons are potential carcinogens. During the past few years, the American Petroleum Institute has sponsored studies of t h e occurrence of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PNAs) in marine animal tissue. One study showed t h a t benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) and other P N A hydrocarbons occur in shell and fin fish a t the low parts per billion level ( I ) . This level is comparable to t h a t in other foodstuffs and would not appear to be a health hazard. With the start of exploration and possible production of oil and/or gas off the east coast of the US., there is a concern that environmental damage may result. Of interest in this paper is a possible future health concern with regard to the level of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons in the fish population. To provide a base-line study of the present quality of fish relative to P N A levels, five species of fish and one species of shellfish from the general area of the Baltimore Canyon were analyzed.
Environmental Science & Technology
39'
39'
Experimental Method of Analysis. T h e method of analysis is described elsewhere ( I ) . Briefly, 14C-labeledbenz[a]anthracene (BaA) and B a P are employed as internal standards. Known quantities of these compounds are added to the starting sample of approximately 450 g of the edible portion of the fish. After digestion, solvent extraction and column chromatography are employed to prepare a PNA concentrate. An aliquot of this concentrate is then injected into a gas chromatograph where the gas chromatographic peaks are trapped and the ultraviolet absorption spectra of selected trapped peaks are then measured. These spectra provide a quantitative measure of individual PNAs. Quantitation on a total sample basis is calculated from the observed recovery of the 14C-labeled internal standards. Precision and accuracy of the method were evaluated by analyzing known blends of PNAs having individual concen878
trations of 1 and 6 ppb. Individual compounds were measured within 2a limits of 1and 2 ppb, respectively. Sensitivity of the method varies with the type of marine tissue. Concentrations of 0.1 p p b can be observed in shellfish, whereas 1 ppb is generally the limit for fin fish. This is attributed to the quantity of organic residue finally present in the fraction injected into the gas chromatograph. Shellfish fractions contain much less of this residue and thus are purer with regard to PNA content. This higher level of purity provides greater sensitivity. Relatively high "less than" values occur for butterfish and red hake. For the butterfish, this may be attributed to its organic residue, but in the case of red hake the high "less than" values are due to the restrictively small sample of 72 g. Samples. All of the marine tissue samples are varieties which are commonly eaten. They are bottom feeders that are collected using a standard otter/chain sweep a t depths of 39 to 102 m. Samples were taken by the NOAA Fishery Laboratory of Sandy Hook, N.J., and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, Gloucester Point, Va. Samples analyzed were a composite of several different organisms.
38' 30
38' 30
38'
30'
37' 30
37. 30
CAPE CHARLES
76'
75' 30
75'
71' 30
,
I 74.
73' 30
14'
Figure 1. Origin of samples in Baltimore Canyon area: ( 0 )some 1978 drilling sites; (shaded areas) approximate location for second oil and gas lease sale. Species can be identified by locations listed in Table I
0013-936X/79/0913-0878$01.00/0
0
1979 American Chemical Society
Table I. Summary of PNA Hydrocarbons in Marine Tissues (ppb, Wet Weight) location, lat., long.
-
wet wt - ppb,pyrene
depth, rn
benz a anthrabeie
benzo a pyreLe4
summer flounder
37'53.5'N, 74'10.6'W
102
