Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in storm runoff from urban and coastal South Carolina

Stormwater runoff was collected in urbanized areas of South Carolina to investigate the levels and sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons PAHs.. Mean concentrations of total PAHs in runoff SPAHs, 14 compounds., determined by gas chromatography]mass spectrometry, were 5590 ngrl in the city of Columbia and 282 ngrl in the coastal community of Murrells Inlet. Lower concentrations were found in estuarine water at Murrells Inlet means35 ngrl. and at undeveloped North Inlet estuary 13 ngrl.. The PAH profiles in Columbia and Murrells Inlet runoff were similar to those of atmospheric particulate matter and unlike those in used crankcase oil. Examination of the aliphatic fraction of Columbia runoff samples by gas chromatography with flame ionization detection showed patterns that were more similar to used crankcase oil than to urban aerosols