https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6027-3823
-
Views
-
Cite
Cite
Austin K. Baldwin, Steven R. Corsi, Samantha K. Oliver, Peter L. Lenaker, Michelle A. Nott, Marc A. Mills, Gary A. Norris, Pentti 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, Volume 39, Issue 12, 1 December 2020, Pages 2345–2347, https://doi.org/10.1002/etc.4870
Close - Share Icon Share
Extract
Authors' Response:
We appreciate Dr. 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 contaminants of concern in the Great Lakes Basin (USA/Canada) due to their widespread occurrence, identification as known carcinogens, and potential for adverse biological effects (Diamond et al. 2003; Ingersoll et al. 2009; Hull et al. 2015; Baldwin et al. 2016; Corsi et al. 2019). PAHs have been identified as “critical pollutants” in the Great Lakes by the International Joint Commission (Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 2008). Understanding sources of PAHs to the Great Lakes and their tributaries is therefore an important part of environmental management. 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. To identify likely PAH sources, we used PAH profiles, positive matrix factorization source‐receptor modeling, principal component analysis, and mass fractions analysis, and we used land‐use analysis to relate PAH concentrations to watershed attributes. Based on the common conclusion of these different methods, coal‐tar–sealed pavement dust was determined to be the likely primary source of PAHs to the majority of locations.
