Benzo(a)Pyrene analysis of sediment from the Chandeleur Islands, Louisiana in June 2015

Pooled, triplicate sediment core sections from 3-4 habitat types in 4 sampling locations were extracted and analyzed for the presence of hydrocarbons and heavy metals using ELISA screening methods, and in the future, liquid-chromatography with fluorescence detection, gas chromatography (GC) and GC-mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). Each core will be used to estimate the intensity of oiling from north to south. These established analytical methods will allow the detection of the C5 to C15 gasoline range compounds; the C10-C40 semi-volatile range hydrocarbons including alkylated PAHs, and aliphatics, and selected aromatic hydrocarbons to distinguish biological pools (hopanes, triterpanes, steranes). Heavy metal analysis by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) will be performed on sediments following nitric acid digestion.