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Atmospheric Input Of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons To The Sea Surface Microlayer, Lino J. Gallo

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

Atmospheric input of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) to water was studied and the effects of sea surface microlayer (SSM) determined. The York River system and the Perrin River areas were monitored with a drum skimmer and a high volume air sampler. Experiments were conducted in the laboratory under controlled conditions. The SSM extracted vapor phase PAH of low molecular weight from the air, and there, aromatic compounds went from dissolved into particulate phase very rapidly. Water covered with a natural SSM received much less atmospheric input of PAH than water without SSM in a given period of time. Henry's law …