Lake Champlain serves as the hub and heart of Vermont’s Queen City, Burlington. Unfortunately, it has become extremely polluted in recent times, so much so that it experienced uncontrollable algae blooms in the summer of 2017, lasting through October of 2017. One compound, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), are thought to negatively impact the aquatic habitats of Lake Champlain. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are a classification of organic compounds containing at least two fused benzene rings. The more anthropogenic categorization of PAHs is <u>pyrogenic PAHs</u>, as these compounds form promptly at high temperatures due to the incomplete combustion of carbon-based material. PAHs are carcinogens, and some forms of PAHs are mutagens, toxins, and potential teratogens. As infrastructure development and anthropogenic activity has increased in the Lake Champlain Basin Area, it was hypothesized that the concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in lake sediment has increased to greater than trace levels. The purpose of this study was to analyze multiple sediment samples from Lake Champlain (both the Vermont and New York side), specifically determining if PAHs are present and, if so, at what concentration per defined mass of sediment. Each sediment sample was prepared for PAH extraction using the soxhlet method. After soxhlet was complete, excess solvent was evaporated and the remaining material was re-suspended in methanol. The resultant samples were analyzed by GC-MS, HPLC, and/or IR Spectroscopy. The eight-week summer session consisted of method development for analysis by GC-MS, HPLC and IR Spectroscopy, whereas the academic year has had a greater focus on the selection of a specific method for analysis of PAHs and quantification of data. Data have shown the presence of aromatic groups specific to PAHs for certain sediment samples, and quantitative trials to determine PAH levels in various parts of the lake are ongoing.

Determination of PAH levels in Lake Champlain sediment

2019 Spring National Meeting

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