SOURCES AND FATES OF AROMATIC-COMPOUNDS IN URBAN STORMWATER RUNOFF

Petroleum-derived aromatic hydrocarbons and associated sulfur compounds in urban stormwater runoff and Delaware River sediment samples were characterized using a gas chromatograph equipped with a flame ionization/sulfur specific flame photometric detector system. Total petroleum hydrocarbon concentrations were determined gravimetrically in stormwater emanating from a northern Philadelphian storm sewer. Comparison of hydrocarbon and sulfur fingerprints of the aromatic fractions of environmental samples to reference oils indicated that crankcase oil was the most likely source of aromatics in stormwater runoff. A weathering study on used crankcase oil showed a loss of diaromatics accounting for their absence in the environmental samples. A method of transport by which land-based oil enters the aquatic environment and receiving water sediments was proposed. Dibenzothiophene was identified in the environmental samples by retention time and mass spectrometry. Concentrations of dibenzothiophene in stormwater runoff ranged from 44.2 to 62.3 ng/L. © 1979, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.