Particle Analysis
Particle levels in water (or air) can be measured with a turbidity meter and analyzed with a particle counter. They can also be scanned with an underwater microscope, such as ecoSCOPE. Collected particles of size 20 - 200 micrometers hovering in the free water in the vicinity of a harbor had the following contaminant levels (table). Many of those contaminants are carcinogenic.
| Contaminant | Mass of contaminant relative to total particle dry weight |
|---|---|
| Arsenic | 8.17 mg/kg |
| Lead | 80.1 mg/kg |
| Cadmium | 0.61 mg/kg |
| Chromium | 31.2 mg/kg |
| Copper | 44 mg/kg |
| Nickel | 20.6 mg/kg |
| mercury | 0.86 mg/kg |
| Zinc | 156 mg/kg |
| EOX | 0.79 mg/kg |
| Anthracene | 602 µg/kg |
| Fluoranthene | 5947 µg/kg |
| Pyrene | 5549 µg/kg |
| Benzo(a)anthracene | 5296 µg/kg |
| Benzo(b)fluoranthene | 2499 µg/kg |
| Benzo(k)fluoranthene | 1652 µg/kg |
| Benzo(a)pyrene | 1895 µg/kg |
| Dibenzo(ah)anthracene | 200 µg/kg |
| Benzo(ghi)perylene | 1533 µg/kg |
| Dichloromethane | 66 µg/kg |
| Chloroform | 11 µg/kg |
| Carbon tetrachloride | 5 µg/kg |
| 1,1,1-Trichloroethane | 4 µg/kg |
| Pentachlorophenol | 22 µg/kg |
| 1,2,3-Trichlorobenzene | 0.4 µg/kg |
| 1,3,5-Trichlorobenzene | 0.4 µg/kg |
| 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene | 1.4 µg/kg |
| 1,2,3/4,5-Tetrachlorobenzene | 1.2 µg/kg |
| 1,2,3,4-Tetrachlorobenzene | 0.4 µg/kg |
| Pentachlorobenzene | 0.8 µg/kg |
| Hexachlorobenzene | 3.9 µg/kg |
| Total PCBs | 2205 µg/kg |
| PCB 28 | 598 µg/kg |
| PCB 52 | 331 µg/kg |
| PCB 101 | 205 µg/kg |
| PCB 138 | 414 µg/kg |
| PCB 153 | 432 µg/kg |
| PCB 180 | 225 µg/kg |
| Benzene | 108 µg/kg |
| Toluene | 655 µg/kg |
| o,-m,-p-Xylene | 247 µg/kg |
| 2,3,7,8-TCDF (dioxin) | 0.8 ng/kg |
Read more about this topic: Particle (ecology)
Famous quotes containing the words particle and/or analysis:
“Each particle is a microcosm, and faithfully renders the likeness of the world.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
“Analysis as an instrument of enlightenment and civilization is good, in so far as it shatters absurd convictions, acts as a solvent upon natural prejudices, and undermines authority; good, in other words, in that it sets free, refines, humanizes, makes slaves ripe for freedom. But it is bad, very bad, in so far as it stands in the way of action, cannot shape the vital forces, maims life at its roots. Analysis can be a very unappetizing affair, as much so as death.”
—Thomas Mann (1875–1955)