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Response to Comment on “Primary Sources of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons to Streambed Sediment in Great Lakes Tributaries Using Multiple Lines of Evidence”
Citation:
Baldwin, A., S. Corsi, S. Olilver, P. Lenaker, M. Nott, M. Mills, G. Norris, AND P. Paatero. Response to Comment on “Primary Sources of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons to Streambed Sediment in Great Lakes Tributaries Using Multiple Lines of Evidence”. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY. Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Pensacola, FL, 39(12):2345-2347, (2020). https://doi.org/10.1002/etc.4870
Impact/Purpose:
We appreciate the opportunity to respond to O'Reilly's comments (O'Reilly 2020) on our recent article, “Primary Sources of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons to Streambed Sediment in Great Lakes Tributaries Using Multiple Lines of Evidence” (Baldwin et al 2020). Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are major contaminants of concern in the Great Lakes Basin: numerous studies have reported on their widespread occurrence and potential for adverse biological effects.
Description:
Understanding sources of PAHs to the Great Lakes and their tributaries is a priority. Our study used multiple lines of evidence to determine the likely source(s) of PAHs to surficial streambed sediments at 71 locations across the Great Lakes Basin. PAH profiles, positive matrix factorization (PMF) source-receptor modeling, principal component analysis, and mass fractions analysis were used to identify likely PAH sources, and land use analysis was used to relate PAH concentrations to watershed attributes. Based on the common conclusion of these different methods, coal-tar sealed pavement dust (CT dust) was determined to be the likely primary source of PAHs to the majority of locations.
URLs/Downloads:
DOI: Response to Comment on “Primary Sources of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons to Streambed Sediment in Great Lakes Tributaries Using Multiple Lines of Evidence”