Ecological risk screen for PAHs in sediments near two produced water discharges at coastal production platforms in the Gulf of Mexico

摘要

Preliminary screens for risks to biota, were done on PAHs in sediments associated with produced waters from platforms at Delacroix Island and at Bay de Chene, in open bays of the Louisiana coast. Sediment samples were taken in Spring 1993 at the discharge sites, along three transacts at Delacroix Island and along four transacts at Bay de Chene (at intervals of 100, 300, 500 and 1000 ft), and at two reference locations for each discharge site. A screen for deleterious effects on biota was done by comparing concentrations to the Effects Range-Median (ERM) and Effects Range-Low (ERL) criteria of Long et al. 1995. Only sediment samples from the discharge site at Bay de Chene exceeded ERM concentrations for either total PAH, or individual and total high molecular weight PAHS. The ERL criteria for total and individual PAH concentrations were exceeded at, and 100 m from the discharge at Delacroix Island. At Bay de Chene, the ERL criteria for total and individual PAH concentrations were exceeded at the discharge, as well as at 100 and 300 m stations.