analysis technology utilizes biologically generated immunoglobulin proteins (antibodies) bound to paramagnetic particles that react with specific target antigens. The calibrating standard used for the test was benzo(a)pyrene. The compounds and their respective limit of quantitation (LOQ) are presented in Table 1. The compounds listed in Table 1 represent the 16 most common high and low molecular weight carcinogenic PAHs that originate from combustion of fossil fuels and urban runoff.

As with all ELISA tests, cross-reactivity must to be considered when interpreting the data. Because more than one compound will react with the ELISA test, a positive result only indicates the presence of one or more compounds that are listed with the PAH kit. For example, since the test does not differentiate among the various PAHs listed in Table 1, a result of 100 μg/kg indicates the presence of one or more of the compounds listed whose LOQ is 100 micrograms per kilograms (μg/kg) or less. The LOQ is the lowest concentration of the compound in soil that can be quantified. The ELISA screening results presented here will be compared to results obtained using gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Results are presented in insets A-D. Sediment PAH concentrations ranged from 10 to 876 μg/kg. All concentrations were below the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP, 1994) effects-based Quality Assessment Guideline’s, Threshold Effects Level (TEL) of 1,684 μg/kg. The TEL represents the sum of 6 and 7 heavy and light molecular weight PAHs, respectively (FDEP, 1994, p. 53–54). The TEL is defined as representing the upper limit of the range of contaminated sediment concentrations dominated by no adverse biological effects. The ELISA test includes 12 of the 13 PAHs listed by FDEP (1994).

TOC-normalized PAH concentrations for all sites ranged from 2.4 (Feather Sound) to 162.2 μg_PAH/g_TOC (Pinellas Point) with a mean of 23.2 μg_PAH/g_TOC for the four study areas. The normalized PAH data can be used to compare the sampling sites (insets A, B, C, and D) in terms of the relative potential impact of PAHs on benthic organisms (FDEP, 1944). Data for the individual inshore and offshore sampling points at the four study areas are presented by bar graphs. The means for the inshore and offshore data ranged from 11.0 to 35.0 μg_PAH/g_TOC and 18.2 to 33.6 μg_PAH/g_TOC, respectively.

REFERENCES CITED

DiToro, D.M., Zarba, D.J., Hansen, D.J., Berry, W.J., Swartz, R.C., Cowan, C.E., Pavlou, S.P., Allen, H.E., Thomas, N.A., and Paquin, P.R., 1991, Technical basis for establishing sediment quality criteria for nonionic organic chemicals using equilibrium partitioning, Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 10:1541 – 1583.

Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), 1994, Florida coastal sediment contaminants atlas, A summary of coastal sediment quality surveys: Tallahassee, Florida, 111 p.

Michelsen, T. C., and Bragdon-Cook, K., 1993, Organic carbon normalization of data, Technical Information Memorandum, Washington Department of Ecology, Management Unit: Olympia, Washington, 11 p.

Strategic Diagnostics Incorporated, 1998, RaPID Assay, Carcinogenic PAH Test Kit, A00200/A00201, Strategic Diagnostic Inc., Remediation, assessment, and industrial testing product information: Newark, New Jersey, 13 p.