37 



PAHs. Replicate values for organic compounds at each reference area were more 

 variable than results for the metal analyses; values fell within one or two standard deviations 

 of the mean (Table 3-4). Also, several estimated values (J values) indicated that a compound 

 was present in a concentration above the method detection limit and below the practical 

 quantitation limit. 



Of the low molecular weight (LMW) PAHs, phenanthrene was the most abundant at 

 all three reference areas; average values were 160 ppb at 2000W, 283 ppb at WLIS-REF, 

 and 403 ppb at 2000S. Values of anthracene, naphthalene, and 2-methyl naphthalene were 

 present in concentrations higher than acenaphthylene, acenaphthene, and fluorene. LMW 

 PAH values were highest at the 2000S reference area followed by WUS-REF and 2000W. 



Reference area 2000S also had the highest concentration of high molecular weight 

 (HMW) PAH compounds followed by WLIS-REF and 2000W. Concentrations were greatest 

 for pyrene, followed by fluoranthene. Dibenzo(a,h)anthracene and indeno(l,2,3-cd)pyrene 

 were either below detection limits or present at low concentrations at the reference areas. 

 The remaining HMW PAH compounds (except low values of benzo(g,h,i)perylene) were 

 present in similar concentrations at the reference areas. As noted in the sediment metals 

 analyses, reference area 2000S exhibited the largest standard deviation in HMW and LMW 

 PAH concentration values. 



Monitoring Cruise at the Western Long Island Sound Disposal Site, June 1991 



