8 research outputs found
Organic pollutants in sea-surface microlayer and aerosol in thecoastal environment of Leghorn—(Tyrrhenian Sea)
The levels of dissolved and particle-associated n-alkanes, alkylbenzenes, phthalates, PAHs, anionic surfactants and
surfactant fluorescent organic matter ŽSFOM. were measured in sea-surface microlayer ŽSML. and sub-surface water ŽSSL.
samples collected in the Leghorn marine environment in September and October 1999.
Nine stations, located in the Leghorn harbour and at increasing distances from the Port, were sampled three times on the
same day. At all the stations, SML concentrations of the selected organic compounds were significantly higher than SSL
values and the enrichment factors ŽEFsSML concentrationrSSL concentration. were greater in the particulate phase than
in the dissolved phase.
SML concentrations varied greatly among the sampling sites, the highest levels Žn-alkanes 3674 mgrl, phthalates 177
mgrl, total PAHs 226 mgrl. being found in the particulate phase in the Leghorn harbour.
To improve the knowledge on pollutant exchanges between sea-surface waters and atmosphere, the validity of spray drop
adsorption model ŽSDAM. was verified for SFOM, surface-active agents, such as phthalates, and compounds which can
interact with SFOM, such as n-alkanes and PAHs. q2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved