Showing papers in "Environmental Science & Technology in 1984"
TL;DR: With some additional analytical improvements, isomer-specific PCB analysis can be utilized to determine the composition of commercial PCBs and accurately follow the fate and distribution of these pollutants within the global ecosystem.
Abstract: The synthesis and spectroscopic properties of all the mono-, di-, tri-, tetra-, penta-, hexa-, and heptachlorobipheynls are reported and the synthesis of all 209 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) is completed. The retention times and molar response factors of the 209 PCBs were determined relative to a reference standard, octachloronaphthalene. The retention times for these compounds generally increased with increasing chlorine content, and it was apparent that within a series of isomers there was an increase in retention time with increasing meta and para and decreasing ortho substitution. By use of a 50-m narrow bore fused silica capillary column coated with SE-54, it was possible to separate 187 PCB congeners, and only 11 pairs of compounds were not fully resolved. With some additional analytical improvements, isomer-specific PCB analysis can be utilized to determine the composition of commercial PCBs and accurately follow the fate and distribution of these pollutants within the global ecosystem.
568 citations
TL;DR: The reverse-phase separation technique was simple and rapid and gave results similar to dialysis techniques and was approximately 1 order of magnitude lower than that determined for the Aldrich humics at similar DOC concentrations.
Abstract: A reverse-phase separation technique was used to determine the binding of /sup 14/C-radiolabeled organic pollutants (benzo(a)pyrene, anthracene, biphenyl, p,p'-DDT, 2,4,5,2',4',5'-hexachlorobiphenyl, 2,5,2',5'-tetrachlorobiphenyl, and bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate) to humic materials in aqueous solution. The humic-bound pollutant was separated from the ''freely dissolved'' pollutant passed through, while the unbound pollutants were retained by the column. The partition coefficient (grams of pollutant bound/gram of organic carbon)/(grams of pollutant freely dissolved/milliliter) did not depend on pollutant concentration but was inversely proportional to the concentration of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in solution. At low DOC (1-2 mg of Aldrich humic acids L/sup -1/), the partition coefficient was approximately equal to the octanol-water partition coefficient and inversely proportional to water solubility. The partition coefficient for natural waters was approximately 1 order of magnitude lower than that determined for the Aldrich humics at similar DOC concentrations. The reverse-phase separation was simple and rapid and gave results similar to dialysis techniques. 33 references.
416 citations
TL;DR: Reduction and dissolution of manganese(III,IV) oxide suspensions by 27 aromatic and nonaromatic compounds resembling natural organics were examined in order to understand the solubilization reaction in nature.
Abstract: Reduction and dissolution of manganese(III,IV) oxide suspensions by 27 aromatic and nonaromatic compounds resembling natural organics were examined in order to understand the solubilization reaction in nature. At pH 7.2 10/sup -3/ M formate, fumarate, glycerol, lactate, malonate, phthalate, propanol, propionaldehyde, propionate, and sorbitol did not dissolve appreciable amounts of oxide after 3 h of reaction. The following organics did dissolve manganese oxides under these conditions and are listed in order of decreasing reactivity: 3-methoxycatechol approx. catechol approx. 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acidapprox. ascorbate > 4-nitro-catechol > thiosalicylate > hydroquinone > 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid > syringic acid > o-methoxyphenol > vanillic acidapprox. orcinol approx. 3,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid > resorcinol > oxalite approx. pyruvate approx. salicylate. Relative reactivities of organic substrates are discussed in terms of surface complex formation prior to electron transfer. Dissolution of manganese oxides by marine fulvic acid was enhanced by illumination, verifying that the reaction is photocatalyzed.
409 citations
TL;DR: Comparison of urban runoff PAH inputs to other sources entering Narragansett Bay showed that urban runoff accounted for 71 % of the total inputs for higher molecular weight PAHs and 36% of thetotal PAHS.
Abstract: B Urban runoff samples collected from four storm drains, each serving a different land use, were analyzed for selected polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) by gas chromatography. The PAH concentrations varied widely during the history of each storm and appeared to be most concentrated in first or second flushes. Higher molecular weight PAHs were mostly found associated with the particulates and were enriched on two different particle sizes, a small particle fraction and a larger particle fraction, perhaps from different sources. The annual input of PAHs to the upper Narragansett Bay watershed was calculated by using storm loads with local rainfall and land use data. The loads of PAHs [mass (drainage area)-' year1] in urban runoff were higher at the highway and industrial land uses in comparison to the commercial and residential areas. Urban runoff PAHs are similar in composition to that found in atmospheric fallout but unlike the PAHs in municipal effluents. Comparison of urban runoff PAH inputs to other sources entering Narragansett Bay showed that urban runoff accounted for 71 % of the total inputs for higher molecular weight PAHs and 36% of the total PAHs.
385 citations
360 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a 4-year multidisciplinary study was conducted on relationships between pollutants and diseases of fish in Puget Sound, WA, where high concentrations of a large number of anthropogenic chemicals such as petroleum hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and other chlorinated compounds, pesticides, and metals were found in certain Puget sound sediments.
Abstract: A 4-year multidisciplinary study was conducted on relationships between pollutants and diseases of fish in Puget Sound, WA. In this study, high concentrations of a large number of anthropogenic chemicals such as petroleum hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and other chlorinated compounds, pesticides, and metals were found in certain Puget Sound sediments. For example, over 900 individual organic compounds were detected in sediment from one urban bay (Commencement Bay), and evidence was obtained for the presence of numerous additional compounds. Many of the chemicals accumulated in bottom-dwelling fish, and high levels of certain toxic chemicals in the urban bays were linked to serious diseases (e.g., liver carcinomas) of English sole (Parophrys vetulus) and other demersal fish species. It was concluded that application of the approach used would reveal comparable serious pollution-related health problems in marine biota in other urban coastal areas of the world.
347 citations
TL;DR: A model is proposed for the observed rate dependence, according to which complex formation between hydroquinone and manganese oxide surface sites occurs prior to electron transfer, as well as for the apparent activation energy of the solubilization reaction.
Abstract: The chemical processes by which manganese oxides are solubilized by reduction in anoxic waters are poorly understood. A study of the reduction and dissolution of manganese oxide suspensions by hydroquinone was undertaken to determine the rate and mechanism of the solubilization reaction. Dissolution of the manganese (III,IV) oxide suspension by hydroquinone in the pH range 6.5 , pH < 8.5 is initially described by the following empirical rate law: d(Mn/sup 2 +/)/dt = k/sub 1/(H/sup +/)sup 0.46(QH/sub 2/)/sup 1.0/((MnO/sub x/)/sub 0/ - (Mn/sup 2 +/)) where (Mn/sup 2 +/) is the dissolved manganese concentration, (QH/sub 2/) is the hydroquinone concentration, and (MnO/sub x/)/sub 0/ is the amount of manganese oxide added. The apparent activation energy was found to be at +37 kJ/mol. Calcium and phosphate inhibited the reaction, by adsorbing on the oxide surface. A model is proposed for the observed rate dependence, according to which complex formation between hydroquinone and manganese oxide surface sites occurs prior to electron transfer.
332 citations
316 citations
TL;DR: In this article, it was shown that phenolate sorption not only of the nondissociated phenols but also of their conjugate bases (phenolates) can occur in natural waters of low ionic strength (i.e., I less than or equal to approx. 10/sup -3/M).
Abstract: Laboratory experiments have been conducted to study the sorption of chlorinated phenols by sediments and aquifer materials. It is shown that sorption not only of the nondissociated phenols but also of their conjugate bases (phenolates) can occur. At typical ambient concentrations, sorption equilibrium can be described by the equation S = DC, where S = concentration in the solid phase, D = overall distribution ratio, and C = concentration in the liquid phase. In natural waters of low ionic strength (i.e., I less than or equal to approx. 10/sup -3/ M) and of pH not exceeding the pK/sub a/ of the phenol by more than one log units, phenolate sorption can be neglected and the overall distribution coefficient may be expressed by D = K/sub p/Q, where K/sub p/ = partition coefficient of the nonionized phenol and Q = degree of protonation. K/sub p/ may be estimated from the octanol/water partition coefficient of the compound and from the organic carbon content of the sorbent. In the case of tetra- and pentachlorophenol, phenolate sorption usually has to be considered. It is strongly influenced by the organic carbon content of the sorbent and by the ionic strength of the aqueous medium.
300 citations
TL;DR: Equations are derived from mass transfer theory, which relate the fraction evaporated to an evaporative exposure and Henry's law constant, which characterizes the exposure conditions of atmospheric turbulence, spill volume, and area.
Abstract: Procedures are described for quantifying the rate of environmental evaporation of liquid mixtures such as crude oils and petroleum products under a variety of environmental conditions. Equations are derived from mass transfer theory, which relate the fraction evaporated to an evaporative exposure and Henry's law constant. The dimensionless evaporative exposure characterizes the exposure conditions of atmospheric turbulence, spill volume, and area. The dimensionless Henry's law constant is a function of the liquid composition and temperature and of the fraction of liquid which has evaporated. Experimental procedures are described for measuring evaporation characteristics of a liquid mixture and for producing samples of partially evaporated material.
298 citations
TL;DR: An age-dependent food chain model that considers species bioenergetics and toxicant exposure through water and food is developed and indicates that for the top predator lake trout, PCB exposure through the food chain can account for greater than 99% of the observed concentration.
Abstract: An age-dependent food chain model that considers species bioenergetics and toxicant exposure through water and food is developed. The model is successfully calibrated to 1971 PCB concentrations of Lake Michigan alewife and lake trout by using a dissolved PCB concentration in the water of 5-10 ng/L. The model indicates that for the top predator lake trout, PCB exposure through the food chain can account for greater than 99% of the observed concentration. An octanol-water partitioning calculation using a coefficient of 10/sup 6.72/ and lake trout lipid concentrations failed to reproduce the observed data by a factor of about 4. It is estimated that a criterion specifying that PCB concentrations of all ages of lake trout be at or below 5 ..mu..g/g (wet weight) in the edible portion would require that dissolved PCB concentrations be reduced to somewhere between 0.5 and 2.5 ng/L.
TL;DR: Importance des changements de speciation du fer dans les eaux naturelles par l'action de la lumiere par l’action de the lumiere.
Abstract: Importance des changements de speciation du fer dans les eaux naturelles par l'action de la lumiere
TL;DR: The depth vs. concentration profiles in dated sediment cores shows that emission of dioxins and furans has increased greatly since 1940, which suggests that chlorinated precursors of dioxidant compounds, present in incinerator combustion fuels, may be the main source of these compounds found in these sediments.
Abstract: Polychlorinated dioxins and furans were found in sediments from the Saginaw River and Bay and from Lake Huron. The congener distributions of the dioxins and furans indicate that combustion may be the major source of these compounds. The depth vs. concentration profiles in dated sediment cores shows that emission of dioxins and furans has increased greatly since 1940. This historical increase is similar to trends for the production, use, and disposal of chlorinated organic compounds and suggests that chlorinated precursors of dioxins and furans, present in incinerator combustion fuels, may be the main source of the dioxins and furans found in these sediments.
TL;DR: Experimental field data support the earlier hypothesis that this loss process of NO/ sub 3/ may constitute both a major sink for atmospheric NO/sub x/ and a significant formation route for nitric acid, a key component of acid rain and fog.
Abstract: Nighttime profiles of the atmospheric concentrations of the nitrate radical (NO/sub 3/), NO/sub 2/, and O/sub 3/ have been obtained by using a mobile differential ultraviolet/visible absorption spectrometer over path lengths from 3 to 17 km. Measurements were carried out at four semiarid/desert sites in the southern California desert (Death Valley, Edwards Air Force Base, Phelan, and Whitewater), and nitrate radicals were observed at all four locations at typical concentrations of approx. 10-100 parts per trillion. A decrease in the calculated NO/sub 3/ lifetime with increasing relative humidity (RH) was observed with lifetimes up to approx. 60 min for less than or equal to50% RH, but less than or equal to10 min for greater than or equal to50% RH. This suggests the involvement of water in the loss process for NO/sub 3/, either in the gas phase or in the aqueous state at the ground or on aerosol surfaces. These experimental field data support our earlier hypothesis that this loss process of NO/sub 3/ may constitute both a major sink for atmospheric NO/sub x/ and a significant formation route for nitric acid, a key component of acid rain and fog.
TL;DR: It was found that mixtures of structurally related hydrophobic liquids were near ideal in the organic phase; in the aqueous phase activity coefficient of a component was unaffected by the presence of consolutes.
Abstract: The solubilities of several chlorobenzenes and other mixtures in water have been determined. The results varied with the phase of the solute mixture and the hydrophilicity of the components and were interpreted through activity coefficients calculated by the UNIFAC equation. It was found that mixtures of structurally related hydrophobic liquids were near ideal in the organic phase; in the aqueous phase activity coefficient of a component was unaffected by the presence of consolutes. Increasing hydrophilicity of the solutes lead to deviations from ideality in the organic phase, but these could be largely accounted for by the UNIFAC equation. For mixtures of solids which did not interact, the components tended to behave independently of one another, and their solubilities were approximately additive. The behavior of mixtures of liquids and solids was intermediate between that of liquid mixtures and that of mixtures of solids. The application of these results to the toxicity of organic mixtures in water is discussed.
TL;DR: The transformation rates of 25 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and 4 derivatives of anthracene are investigated in dilute solutions containing dinitrogen tetraoxide and nitric and nitrous acid under conditions which are relevant for determining the relative reactivities of PAH and their derivatives toward nitrogen compounds in the atmosphere.
Abstract: The transformation rates of 25 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and 4 derivatives of anthracene are investigated in dilute solutions containing dinitrogen tetraoxide and nitric and nitrous acid under conditions which are relevant for determining the relative reactivities of PAH and their derivatives toward nitrogen compounds in the atmosphere. The reactivities of some of the PAH are several orders of magnitude higher than that of benzene. The reactions are apparently electrophilic, as electron-donating substituents, e.g., methyl, enhance the reactivity of anthracenes, and electron-withdrawing substituents, e.g., nitro, diminish it. The reactivities of PAH correlate with spectroscopical constants, and it seems possible to relate the differences in reactivity to differences in the chemical structure. A classification of the reactivity of PAH in electrophilic reactions in the environment under dark and weak lighting conditions is set up. 60 references.
TL;DR: Adsorption isotherm data for 11 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) from water onto Filtrasorb 400 activated carbon at 25/sup 0/C have been generated by batch shake testing and an evaluation of Henry's law, Langmuir, BET, Freundlich, and Redlich-Peterson equations indicates that the LangmuIR equation is most useful for representing the data.
Abstract: Adsorption isotherm data for 11 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) from water onto Filtrasorb 400 activated carbon at 25/sup 0/C have been generated by batch shake testing. An evaluation of Henry's law, Langmuir, BET, Freundlich, and Redlich-Peterson equations indicates that the Langmuir equation is most useful for representing the data. Fitting the data to two linearized forms of the Langmuir equation provides estimates of the capacity term q/sup 0/ and the energy term b which apply over different equilibrium concentration (C/sub e/) ranges. The products of the parameters bq/sup 0/ obtained by using the low C/sub e/ linear form of the Langmuir equation approximate Henry's law adsorption constants. These values range from 2390 (mg/g)/(mg/L) for naphthalene to 326,000 (mg/g)/(mg/L) for chrysene. The parameter q/sup 0/ obtained by using the high C/sub e/ linear form of the Langmuir equation reflects limiting adsorption capacity. These values range from 580 mg/g for naphthalene to 14.7 mg/g for benz(a)anthracene. Both log (q/sup 0/) and log (bq/sup 0/) correlate with log (C/sub s/) and log (K/sub ow/), making it possible to predict relative adsorption of PAH from these latter properties. The adsorption of PAH onto activated carbon is (1) much stronger than is adsorption of PAHmore » onto soils, sediments, and suspended organic matter and (2) comparable to or greater than the adsorption of other hydrophobic organics onto activated carbon.« less
TL;DR: A mathematical model of the Behaviour of Oil Spills on Water with Natural and Chemical Dispersion is prepared for Fisheries and Environmental Canada, 1977, Economic and Technical Review Report.
Abstract: Literature Cited National Academy of Sciences “Petroleum in the Marine Environment”; National Academy of Sciences: Washington, DC, 1975. Malins, D. C. ”Effects of Petroleum on Arctic and Subarctic Marine Environments and Organisms”, Academic Press: New York, 1977; Vol. I. Jordan, R. E.; Payne, J. R. “Fate and Weathering of Petroleum Spills in the Marine Environment”; Ann Arbor Science: Ann Arbor, MI, 1980. Yang, W. C.; Wang, H. Water Res. 1977,11,879-887. Butler, J. N. In “Transfer of Petroleum Residues from Sea to Air: Evaporative Weathering. Marine Pollutant Transfer”; Windom, H. L.; Duce, R. A., Eds.; Lexington Books: Lexington, MA, 1976; pp 201-212. Sivadier, H. 0.; Mikolaj, P. G. Symp. Prev. Control Oil Spills 1973, 475. (7) Mackay, D.; Leinonen, P. J. “Mathematical Model of the Behaviour of Oil Spills on Water with Natural and Chemical Dispersion”, prepared for Fisheries and Environmental Canada, 1977, Economic and Technical Review Report
TL;DR: Description de l'isolation, de la mutagenicite Ames et des proprietes chimiques d'un des principaux mutagenes des eaux usees de papeterie: l'hydroxy furanone.
Abstract: Description de l'isolation, de la mutagenicite Ames et des proprietes chimiques d'un des principaux mutagenes des eaux usees de papeterie: l'hydroxy furanone
TL;DR: In this article, a new technique is described for the determination of free radical HO and HO/sub 2/ in real and simulated urban and nonurban air, which reduces or eliminates many of the backgrounds and interferences associated with laserexcited fluorescence detection of HO.
Abstract: A new technique is described for the determination of free radical HO and HO/sub 2/ in real and simulated urban and nonurban air. FAGE (fluorescence assay with gas expansion) reduces or eliminates many of the backgrounds and interferences associated with laser-excited fluorescence detection of HO. FAGE employs virtually in situ chemical calibration of the HO concentration, chemical modulation of the signal for background subtraction, and chemical reduction of HO/sub 2/ to detectable HO. The authors report interference-free determinations of urban HO by laser-excited fluorescence and concurrent determinations of HO/sub 2/. Measurements in a smog-chamber experiment are also reported. 11 figures.
TL;DR: Tri-n-butyltin, the most toxic of the butyltin species to aquatic life, was present at 0.5 mg/kg (dry weight) in the top 2 cm of sediment in Toronto Harbour, indicating that some butyeltin species can be methylated in aquatic environments.
Abstract: A method has been developed for the analysis of butyltin species and inorganic tin in sediments, and the presence of these compounds in sediments in Ontario is reported for the first time. Although inorganic tin occurred frequently in sediments collected around the province, butyltin species were found mainly in the sediments of harbors, reflecting earlier findings on their occurrence in water, with which these findings are compared. Tri-n-butyltin, the most toxic of the butyltin species to aquatic life, was present at 0.5 mg/kg (dry weight) in the top 2 cm of sediment in Toronto Harbour. In addition, tri-n-butylmethyltin and di-n-butyldimethyltin were found in the sediment of a few harbors, indicating that some butyltin species can be methylated in aquatic environments.
TL;DR: In this article, a simple model, analogous to speciation in solution among soluble ligands, was developed to enable the distribution of metals within sediments to be estimated, which requires the conditional metal binding constants (slopes of the linear portions of the adsorption isotherms) to be evaluated for a small number of model sedimentary phases in isolation, as well as knowledge of the composition of the sediment and water.
Abstract: An understanding of the distribution of toxic trace metals and other materials of environmental interest among the different sedimentary phases is necessary to assess the hazard associated with pollution of aquatic sediments. A simple model, analogous to speciation in solution among soluble ligands, was developed to enable the distribution of metals within sediments to be estimated. The model requires the conditional metal binding constants (slopes of the linear portions of the adsorption isotherms) to be evaluated for a small number of model sedimentary phases in isolation, as well as knowledge of the composition of the sediment and water. The model has been applied to the distributions of copper and cadmium in estuarine sediments and predicts that iron and organic matter are the sedimentary constituents of greatest importance for these metals. Manganese phases may contribute to cadmium binding, but clay minerals and (probably) aluminosilicates are insignificant sinks for both copper and cadmium. The model predictions for copper and cadmium in estuarine sediments are in good semi-quantitative agreement with the results of selective extraction studies on natural sediments reported in the literature and studies reported here of cadmium uptake by natural sediments.
TL;DR: Octanol-water partition coefficients of 58 poly-chlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners have been determined by reverse-phase C/sub 18/ high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) of Aroclor 1242 and 1254 mixtures by high-resolution glass capillary gas-liquid chromatography.
Abstract: Octanol-water partition coefficients of 58 poly-chlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners have been determined by reverse-phase C/sub 18/ high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) of Aroclor 1242 and 1254 mixtures. High-resolution glass capillary gas-liquid chromatography was used for the detection of the eluted individual congeners. Some PCB congeners behaved atypically from other organics on reverse-phase HPLC, and empirically derived correction factors were used to adjust K/sub ow/ values. Congener log K/sub ow/ values for PCB's ranged from an average of 4.5 for N/sub Cl/ = 1 to 8.1 for N/sub Cl/ = 7. The environmental implications of PCB K/sub ow/ values and congener behavior on the C /sub 18/ reverse-phase column are discussed. 35 references.
TL;DR: Competition experiments for binding sites between nickel and other cations as well as with other complexing anions showed that /sup 63/Ni uptake was affected only by cobalt and by humic acids.
Abstract: Six strains of algae and one Euglena sp. were tested for their ability to bioaccumulate nickel. Radioactive /sup 63/Ni was used together with a microplate technique to determine the conditions for nickel removal by axenic cultures of cyanobacteria, green algae, and one euglenoid. The cyanobacteria tested were found to be more sensitive to nickel toxicity than the green algae or the Euglena sp. The concentration factor (CF) for nickel was determined under a variety of conditions and found to be in the range from 0 to 3.0 x 10/sup 3/. The effect of environmental variables on nickel uptake was examined, and a striking pH effect for biaccumulation was observed, with most of the algal strains accumulating nickel optimally at approximately pH 8.0. Competition experiments for binding sites between nickel and other cations as well as with other complexing anions, showed that /sup 63/Ni uptake was affected only by cobalt and by humic acids.
TL;DR: La chaine de degradation s'avere etre: butyl benzyl phtalate→monobutyl phTalate→phtalique acide
Abstract: La chaine de degradation s'avere etre: butyl benzyl phtalate→monobutyl phtalate→phtalique acide
TL;DR: Some of the most vigorous research activity related to PAhs has concentrated on refining analytical techniques and on development of a better understanding of PAH-induced mutagenesis and carcinogenesis at a molecular level.
Abstract: Polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) can enter the environment in several ways, primarily through the incomplete combustion of carbonaceous materials or through processes that convert coal into synthetic fuels. Other sources of PAHs include the manufacture of carbon black, creosote, soot, vehicular emissions (especially diesel), residual oil, and wood smoke. The principal path of human exposure is through inhalation. Some PAHs are of concern because they can become mutagenic or carcinogenic after being metabolized. However, certain substituted PAHs seem to exhibit direct mutagenic or carcinogenic activity. Some of the most vigorous research activity related to PAhs has concentrated on refining analytical techniques and on development of a better understanding of PAH-induced mutagenesis and carcinogenesis at a molecular level. Selected studies are described in the review.
TL;DR: Etude de la sorption et de the desorption du phenol, du 2-chlorophenol et du 2,4-dichlorophenol par des sediments de lac
Abstract: Etude de la sorption et de la desorption du phenol, du 2-chlorophenol et du 2,4-dichlorophenol par des sediments de lac
TL;DR: The Ames assay mutagenicities of the unfractionated extracts of passenger car diesel exhaust particles were shown to be additive in the mutagenicity of the components.
Abstract: Dichloromethane extracts of passenger car diesel exhaust particles were separated into 65 fractions by normal-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and Ames assays (TA98 without activation) were carried out on each fraction. The only prominently mutagenic fractions were ones with elution times approximately coincident with those for 1,3-, 1,6-, and 1,8-dinitropyrenes, 1-nitropyrene, and 3- and 8-nitrofluoranthene. These compounds were quantified in one extract sample by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and gas chromatography coupled with a nitrogen-phosphorus detector. Among five extract samples studied, 30-40% of the total mutagenicity recovered from the columns could be attributed to these six nitroarenes, 15-20% was recovered in the as yet uncharacterized polar fraction, and the remainder was distributed roughly equally over 63 fractions. About 70% of the mutagenicity applied to the HPLC columns was recovered from the columns. The Ames assay mutagenicities of the unfractionated extracts were shown to be additive in the mutagenicities of the components. 23 references.