Spatial and temporal distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in sediments from Michigan inland lakes

Concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were measured in sediment cores collected from 11 inland lakes in Michigan for examination of spatial and temporal trends in accumulation and sources. Concentrations of PAHs varied widely among these lakes; the highest concentrations were found in sediment collected from Cass Lake, located in an urbanized watershed. Concentrations of PAHs were correlated with watershed population density on a spatial scale. PAH concentrations have decreased over time since the 1980s in nine of the 11 lakes studied, most of which are located in suburban and rural areas. The rate of decline in PAH concentration was faster in Gratiot Lake, a remote lake with no known local sources of pollution in recent years. Concentrations of PAHs in surface sediments from Cass and Cadillac Lakes were greater than the threshold for adverse effects. Despite the wide variations in total PAH concentrations, fluoranthene, pyrene, chrysene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, and benzo[k]fluoranthene were the major PAHs in all of the lakes studied. The proportions of individual PAHs within the total PAH concentrations have changed both temporally and spatially, suggesting a shift in the sources of PAHs in the environment. A general increase in the proportion of high-molecular-weight PAHs suggests an increase in combustion-related sources recently.