Analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the Barker Reservoir in Houston, Texas, USA is reported. Samples were collected within one week after the August 2017 Hurricane Harvey. Using gas chromatograph equipped with a mass spectrometer, 4 VOCs and 13 PAHs were found the Barker Reservoir. Concentrations of acetone, benzene, chloroform, and toluene were 1,500, 380, 830 and 290 parts per million (ppm), respectively. Benzene and chloroform are classified as probable human carcinogens by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Six PAHs including benzo[a]anthracene, benzo[a]pyrene, benzo<b>fluoranthene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, chrysene, and dibenz[a,h]anthracene are probable human carcinogens. The most concentrated PAH was acenaphthylene at 0.068 ppm and the least one was fluoranthene at 0.00046 ppm. Results are helpful in characterizing the chemical signature of water contaminants in Houston and its vicinities for environmental forensic studies.

Evaluation of volatile organic compounds and polyaromatic hydrocarbons in Barker Reservoir in Houston, Texas after the 2017 Hurricane Harvey

2019 Spring National Meeting

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