Occurrence and source identification of organochlorine pesticides in the surrounding surface soils of the Ittehad Chemical Industries Kalashah Kaku,Pakistan

Surface soil and sediment samples were collected from the surroundings of the Ittehad Chemical Industries Kalashah Kaku industrial zone to assess residual level of 19 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and identify their sources. DDTs and HCHs were most prevalent OCPs and general pattern of contamination followed the order: ∑DDT > ∑HCH > dicofol > endrin > heptachlor > dieldrin > endosulfan II. Total measured concentrations of HCHs (6.38–121.71 ng/g) and DDTs (759.65–1811.98 ng/g) were greater in the soil samples collected from fodder/rice fields irrigated with the factory effluents and in the surrounding of waste disposal site. Ratios of β to γ-HCH highlighted an old mixed source of technical HCH and lindane in surface soils. Predominance of p,p′-DDT and p,p′-DDE among isomers and metabolites showed that large quantity of technical grade DDT is still present in the surrounding surface soils. Six soil samples were categorized as heavy polluted soils (class III category of DDT > 1,000 ng/g), two soil samples into less polluted soil between class I and II (50–500 ng/g) and 28 soil samples as non-polluted (<50 ng/g) according to environmental quality standards for surface soils. Six soil samples were categorized as less polluted between class I and II of HCHs (50–500 ng/g). Greater concentration of DDTs and HCHs above quality guideline poses potential exposure risk to biological organisms, safety of agricultural products and human health in the surrounding of the Ittehad Chemical Industries.     

Arsenic mobility in fluvial environment of the Ganga Plain,northern India

In the northern part of the Indian sub-continent, the Gomati River (a tributary of the Ganga River) was selected to study the dynamics of Arsenic (As) mobilization in fluvial environment of the Ganga Plain. It is a 900-km-long, groundwater-fed, low-gradient, alluvial river characterized by monsoon-controlled peaked discharge. Thirty-six water samples were collected from the river and its tributaries at low discharge during winter and summer seasons and were analysed by ICP-MS. Dissolved As and Fe concentrations were found in the range of 1.29–9.62 and 47.84–431.92 μg/L, respectively. Arsenic concentration in the Gomati River water has been detected higher than in its tributaries water and characteristically increases in downstream, attributed to the downstream increasing of Fe₂O₃ content, sedimentary organic carbon and silt-clay content in the river sediments. Significant correlation of determination (r ² = 0.68) was also observed between As and Fe concentrations in the river water. Arsenic concentrations in the river water are likely to follow the seasonal temperature variation and reach the level of World Health Organization’s permissible limit (10 μg/L) for drinking water in summer season. The Gomati River longitudinally develops reducing conditions after the monsoon season that mobilize As into the river water. First, dissolved As enters into pore-water of the river bed sediments by the reductive dissolution of Fe-oxides/hydroxides due to microbial degradation of sedimentary organic matter. Thereafter, it moves upward as well as down slope into the river water column. Anthropogenically induced biogeochemical processes and tropical climatic condition have been considered the responsible factors that favour the release of As in the fluvial environment of the Ganga Plain. The present study can be considered as an environmental alarm for future as groundwater resources of the Ganga–Brahmaputra Delta are seriously affecting the human–environment relationship at present.     

Surface and groundwater pollution by organochlorine compounds in a typical soybean system from the south Pampa,Argentina

Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) use has been restricted or forbidden in Argentina since 1998 and technical endosulfan is the last currently used OCPs on the soybean-wheat production. As they persist in soil for several years after application, OCPs constitute a source of environmental pollution. This work aims to assess OCPs contamination of groundwater (Gw) and streamwater (Sw) in the Quequén Grande River watershed from south Argentinean Pampas in relation to the hydrogeological characteristics. OCPs were analyzed in Sw, Gw, surface bottom sediments, soils and borehole cutting sediments (Cs) by gas chromatograph-electron capture detector. Pesticide distribution in Cs was dependent on the characteristic of the non-saturated zone. Leached pesticides over 3 m in Cs showed the pattern: HCHs = endosulfan > chlordanes > DDTs, and from 3 to 6 m heptachlor was the main group as a consequence of the past use of this compound in the area, mainly on potato crops. Endosulfan reaches Gw during application season as well as during flooding events while a retard effect was observed for Sw. Levels of α- and β-isomers were in certain cases above national (7 ng L⁻¹) and international (3 ng L⁻¹) limits for aquatic biota protection. As the endosulfan sulfate metabolite was present in Gw and Sw and due to its high toxicity, it should be considered in the establishment of water quality criteria for human and environmental protection.     

Changes of δ<Superscript>18</Superscript>O and δD along the Dousitu River,Inner Mongolia,China, and their evidence of river water evaporation

On the basis of the hydrogeology of the Dousitu River drainage basin, the changes of water flow rate, δ¹⁸O and δD along the Dousitu River are discussed according to measured and analytical results. Changes of flow rate along the Dousitu River agree well with groundwater level contours and the recharge and discharge of groundwater to the river. When compared with other types of water in the area, it is obvious that the ¹⁸O and D of river waters have experienced evaporation. The changes of δ¹⁸O and δD along the Dousitu River are mainly caused by combined effects of groundwater recharge and river water evaporation. The recharge of groundwater makes δ¹⁸O and δD of the river water decrease. Evaporation makes δ¹⁸O and δD of the river water increase. The evaporation fractions of the river water are calculated using the kinetic fractionation theory. Results showed as much as 10–30% of water was evaporated in different segments of Dousitu River.     

长江入海口浅层沉积物中典型有机氯农药分布特征

对长江入海口包括江苏启东,上海崇明岛、长兴岛、横沙岛等地区的浅层沉积物中典型有机氯农药(OCPs)的分布情况进行了研究。采用气相色谱-电子捕获检测器进行检测,方法检出限为0.10 ng/g,回收率为62.4%～116.7%,精密度(RSD)为2.7%～8.3%。调查分析结果显示,长江入海口沿岸均存在轻度和中度的OCPs污染,主要检出物总滴滴涕(DDTs)浓度范围为1.22～626.43 ng/g。深度(0～80 cm)采样检测结果表明,研究区表层及深度样品中DDTs均有不同程度检出,浅层沉积物中DDTs在0～20 cm区域占检出总量的58.1%;其次是20～40 cm区域,DDTs占总量的30.8%;40～60 cm区域DDTs占总量的8.2%;60～80 cm区域DDTs占总量的2.9%,即浅层沉积物中DDTs主要集中在0～40 cm区域,部分点位40～80 cm能够检出少量DDTs。本研究提供的数据为该地区OCPs垂直分布提供参考。     

Sr isotopic signature of the Ganga Alluvial Plain and its implication to Sr flux of the Ganga River System

The influx of Sr responsible for increase in marine Sr has been attributed to rise of Himalaya and weathering of the Himalayan rocks. The rivers draining Himalaya to the ocean by the northern part of the Indian sub-continent comprising the Ganga Alluvial Plain (GAP) along with Central parts of the Himalaya and the northern part of the Indian Craton are held responsible for the transformation of Sr isotopic signature. The GAP is basically formed by the Himalayan-derived sediments and serves as transient zone between the source (Himalaya) and the sink (Bay of Bengal). The Gomati River, an important alluvial tributary of the Ganga River, draining nearly 30,500 km² area of GAP is the only river which is originating from the GAP. The river recycles the Himalayan-derived sediments and transport its weathering products into the Ganga River and finally to Bay of Bengal. 11 water samples were collected from the Gomati River and its intrabasinal lakes for measurement of Sr isotopic composition. Sr concentration of Gomati River water is about 335 μg/l, which is about five times higher than the world’s average of river water (70 μg/l) and nearly three times higher than the Ganga River water in the Himalaya (130 μg/l) The Sr isotopic ratios reported are also higher than global average runoff (0.7119) and to modern seawater (0.7092) values. Strong geochemical sediment–water interaction appearing on surface is responsible for the dissolved Sr isotopic ratios in the River water. Higher Sr isotopic rations found during post-monsoon than in pre-monsoon season indicate the importance of fluxes due to monsoonal erosion of the GAP into the Gomati River. Monsoon precipitation and its interaction with alluvium appear to be major vehicle for the addition of dissolved Sr load into the alluvial plain rivers. This study establishes that elevated ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios of the Gomati River are due to input of chemical weathering of alluvial material present in the Ganga Alluvial Plain.     

Contamination by organochlorine pesticides from rivers

The contamination of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) from the selected rivers in Okinawa Island was investigated to estimate the current status of pollution in water, plants and surface sediments in these rivers. The Aja River, Asato River, Houtoku River, Kokuba River and Okukubi River were selected for this study. The concentration of the total pesticides were in the range of 0.94-231.8 ng/L in river water, 0.006–191.6 ng/L dry weight in river sediments and 0.001–55.8 ng/L dry weight in plants. Among the OCPs, ΣHCB of α-BHC,β-BHC and Aldrin were the common detected compounds in river water. The α-BHC, Aldrin and Dieldrin were the most frequent detected compounds in river sediments and α-BHC and Dieldrin were the common OCPs detected in plants. Aldrin, Dieldrin and ΣHCB were in abundance. Various contamination patterns between the selected river water, sediments and plants were observed. Aja River, Asato River and Houtoku River were contaminated with α,β,δ,γ- BHC, Aldrin and Dieldrin (water and sediments) whereas the main OCPs in Kokuba River and Okukubi River were Dieldrin (plants) The OCPs levels in all rivers were generally below guideline values in Japan, but some sites displayed levels which exceeded the EC and WHO Standards for Aldrin, Dieldrin and α,β-BHC.     

Numerical modeling the role of rubber dams on groundwater recharge and phreatic evaporation loss in riparian zones

Rubber dams have been widely built for their advantages in increase of flooding resources utilization in the north arid and semiarid plain regions of China. Rise in river water stage by the dams, particularly during the drought periods, increases lateral seepage of river water into groundwater, and thus groundwater table and phreatic evaporation loss in the riparian zones. In this study, a riparian area of the Baihe River in Nanyang of Henan Province, China was selected for investigation of influences of the river dams on the groundwater recharge and evaporation loss. A hydraulic model, HEC-RAS, was used for simulation of the river stage variations along the Baihe River, and a numerical groundwater model, MODFLOW, was applied for simulation of groundwater dynamics and estimation of river flow seepage into aquifer and evaporation loss. The results show that the dams increase river stages of 2–3 m during January 2000–December 2002. The increase in the captured groundwater recharge was 7.15–34.06 million m³/a and the increased phreatic evaporation loss occupies 10% of the increased recharge when four rubber dams were built.     

Neotectonic study along mountain front of northeast Himalaya,Arunachal Pradesh,India

To study neotectonics, the structural and morphotectonic aspects are studied along a part of mountain front region of Northeast Himalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, India. Unpaired river terraces are recognized near north of transverse Burai River exit, which is cut by an oblique fault. Across this fault, fluvial terraces are located at heights of 22.7 and 3 m, respectively, on the left and right banks. A water gap is formed along the river channel where the uplifted Middle Siwalik sandstone beds dipping 43° towards ENE direction, thrust over the Quaternary deposit consisting of boulders, cobbles, pebbles and sandy matrix. This river channel incised the bedrock across the intraformational Ramghat Thrust along which the rocks of the Middle Siwalik Formation thrust over the Upper Siwalik Formation. Recent reactivated fault activity is suggested north of the Himalayan Frontal Thrust that forms the youngest deforming front of the Himalaya. The uplifting along the stream channel is noticed extended for a distance of ~130 m and as a result the alluvial river channel became a bedrock river. The relative displacement of rocks is variable along the length of strike–slip faults developed later within the Ramghat Thrust zone. Longitudinal and Channel gradient profiles of Burai River exhibit knick points and increase in river gradient along the tapering ends of the profiles. The study suggests active out-of-sequence neotectonically active thrusting along the mountain front. Neotectonics combined with climatic factor during the Holocene times presents a virgin landscape environment for studying tectonic geomorphology.     

The landslides in the Three Gorges Reservoir Region,China and the effects of water storage and rain on their stability

According to the statistics, there were about 1,736 landslides with the total volume of 1.339 × 10¹¹ m³ in the 100 km² area of upper reaches of the Yangtze River, in which about 94% of landslides are triggered by rain and water storage. Thus, based investigation of the results of the landslides in this region, this paper completed a systematic study on the effects of rainfall and water storage on the landslides in the region and found that the distribution of landslides over time and space are well correlated with the precipitation distribution in this region; landslides are also strictly controlled by the stratum, geological structure, river valley form, shore type, etc. Meanwhile, the pattern of water table variation of the three gorges reservoir will do have very serious impacts on the stability of the slopes in this region. All research results show that water storage and rainfall are the two important inducing factors that can cause a lot of large-scale landslides. Therefore, some effective control measures for water storage and rainfall should be taken so as to minimize the impacts of water on the stability of the slopes in the Three Gorges Reservoir Region of Yangtze River, China.     

Dominants and accumulation of rare earth elements in sediments derived from riparian and depressional marshes

The rare earth elements (REEs) in the sediments of the Xianghai wetlands were measured by inductively coupled plasma spectrometry. The REEs accumulation rates in two sedimentation cores derived from the riparian and depressional marshes were determined by ²¹⁰Pb method. The results showed that REEs concentrations in the Xianghai wetland sediments (∑REEs, 116 mg kg⁻¹) were lower than the corresponding values in Chinese soils (181 mg kg⁻¹) and river sediments (∑REEs, 158–191 mg kg⁻¹). Under alkaline conditions (with pH, 8.2–10.3), the light REEs were more enriched than the heavy REEs. Cerium is the predominant element, and accounts for 30–33% of the total REEs. REEs in the depressional marsh sediments were relatively high (∑REEs, 127 vs. 104 mg kg⁻¹), especially light REEs contents. A significantly positive correlation was found between the neighboring elements except Pr and Dy. The different types of vertical distribution of REEs between the riparian and the depressional marsh can partly result from long-term differing hydrological regimes. Generally, depressional marsh had accumulated much more REEs than riparian marsh (the mean accumulation rates of ∑REEs, 102.98 vs. 48.89 μg cm⁻² year⁻¹).     

Distribution,characteristics, and research status of microplastics in the trunk stream and main lakes of the Yangtze River: A review

Microplastic pollution has become an environmental issue of great concern owing to the persistence of microplastics and their potential adverse effects on biota.The Yangtze River is the longest river in China and the third-longest river in the world,and the microplastics in this river will affect the health of a large population living along with it.To ensure the survival safety of people,it is essential to plan ahead and investigate in advance in order to understand the microplastic pollution in the river and work out countermeasures.This paper reviews the literature concerning the microplastic pollution in the Yangtze River basin and analyzes the abundance,shapes,colors,and composition of microplastics in the water bodies and sediments in the trunk stream and main lakes of the Yangtze River.The results are as follows.Compared to other river basins in China and abroad,the microplastics in the Yangtze River basin have a moderate abundance and high spatial heterogeneity.Owing to the barrier effect of the Three Gorges Dam on microplastics,the abundance of microplastics in the Three Gorges Reservoir is generally an order of magnitude higher than that in other sections of the river.Most microplastics in the water bodies and sediments are less than 1 mm in size and are transparent and colorful.In terms of shapes,they are dominated by fibers,followed by fragments and films.In terms of composition,the microplastics in the source region of the Yangtze River are mainly composed of nylon and polyethylene,while the microplastics in the surface water from the lower reaches of the Jinsha River to the Yangtze River estuary are dominated by polypropylene and polyethylene.The microplastics are primarily derived from the secondary microplastics in the environment,and relatively intensive human activities increase the abundance of microplastics.These results serve as bases for understanding and preventing microplastic pollution in the Yangtze River.     

嘉陵江水资源的开发与防灾工程

笔者首先从地学角度阐明长江流域的特大洪水泛滥在人类出现之前即已有之。所以,单靠维原有自然状态尚不跳以防止咱中及长江中下游洪灾;在上游设置具有足够调洪能力的水利工程也是必要的和紧迫的措施。根据四川盆地及其周转的水资源状况、工程地质条件和对环境工程地质问题的预测,笔者认为,在盆地北部边缘山区的嘉陵江（主要是涪江和渠江）上游修建拦蓄工程,不但可消除川中旱洪灾害,同时将大大地减轻长江中下游的洪灾威胁。为此     

Dissolved trace elements in river water: spatial distribution and the influencing factor, a study for the Pearl River Delta Economic Zone, China

Twenty-nine water samples were collected from different river channels of the Pearl River Delta Economic Zone, China. An inductively coupled plasma-mass spectromonitor (ICP-MS) was used to measure concentrations of the trace elements in these samples. The results suggest that the average concentrations of rare earth elements in river water show an increasing trend from the West River, the North River, the rivers of the Pearl River Delta, and the Shenzhen River to the East River. Relatively high concentrations of heavy metals appear in the East River, the rivers of the Pearl River Delta and the Shenzhen River, while the West River and the North River have relatively low heavy metal concentrations. Trace element concentrations in samples collected near urban or industrial areas are much higher than those of samples collected from distant areas, away from urban and industrial areas. After natural conditions, human activities have significant influence on the trace element concentrations in river water. This trace element concentration’s spatial distribution in the river water from the Pearl River Delta Economic Zone is actually an integrated effect of natural conditions and human activity.     

Temporal and spatial variability of sediment flux into the sea from the three largest rivers in China

The Yellow, Yangtze and Pearl Rivers supply over 90% of the sediment flux from China to the western Pacific Ocean. Trends and abrupt changes in the water discharge and sediment load of the three rivers were examined and compared based on data updated to the year 2011 at the seasonal and annual scales. The total water discharge from the three rivers shows a statistically insignificant decreasing trend with a rate of 0.62 × 10⁹ m³/a, and the total sediment load shows a statistically significant decreasing trend at a rate of 31.12 × 10⁶ t/a from the 1950s to 2011. The water discharge of the entire Yellow River and the upstream portion of the Yangtze River shows significant decreasing trends, and that of the mid-lower stream of Yangtze River and the entire Pearl River shows insignificant trends. The sediment loads in the three river basins all show significant decreasing trends at the annual and seasonal scales, and a dramatic decrease in the 2000s resulted in a more obvious decreasing trend over the studied period. From the 1950s to the 2000s, the contribution of sediment flux from the Yellow River to the ocean decreased from 71.8% to 37.0%, and the contributions of the Yangtze and Pearl Rivers increased from 24.2% and 4.0% to 53.0% and 10.0%, respectively. Inter-annual variations in water discharge and sediment load were affected by climate oscillations, such as the El Niño/Southern Oscillation, and the long-term decreasing trend in sediment load was primarily caused by human activities. Dam constructions and soil conservation projects were the major causes of sediment reduction. From the 1970s to the 2000s, the decrease in total sediment load from the three rivers caused by climate change and human activities was 2.24 × 10⁸ t/a (23.0%) and 7.5 × 10⁸ t/a (77.0%), respectively. In the coming decades, the sediment flux from the three rivers into the sea will decrease further with intensifying human activities, resulting in many challenges for the management of river basins and river deltas.     

Heavy metals and polychlorinated biphenyls in sediments of the Yangtze river estuary,China

Typical pollutants in sediments from 22 sampling sites of the Yangtze river estuary in 2006 were investigated in the present study. Arsenic, mercury, cadmium, copper, chromium, zinc, lead, and polychlorinated biphenyls of the Yangtze river estuary sediments were found as 6.49–17.6, 0.0164–0.0987, 0.059–0.319, 11.7–46.6, 10.5–113, 44.5–125, 14.8–32.7, and 0.0006–0.0026 mg/kg, respectively. Results indicated the presence of a contamination in the Yangtze river estuary. Through analyzing the contents of typical pollutants in sediments with adopting the index number techniques of Muller geoaccumulation index and Hakanson ecological risk factors and index, the quality status of these sediments were evaluated. Furthermore, the potential ecological risks of the estuary were determined quantitatively. The overall environmental quality of typical pollutants was generally in a good condition in most sites. The results showed that arsenic was the main environmental pollution factor, and cadmium was the main potential ecological factor. The highest potential ecological risk index appeared in the south branch of the Yangtze river, which was mainly due to terrestrial pollution in Shanghai. The results of this study can be used for decision makers to prioritize measures to control the pollution for these typical pollutants.     

Estimation of potential pollution from mine tailings in the San Pedro River (1993–2005), Mexico–US border

The San Pedro River (SPR) is located in northern Sonora (Mexico) and southeastern Arizona (USA). SPR is a transboundary river that develops along the Sonora (Mexico) and Arizona (USA) border, and is considered the main source of water for a variety of users (human settlements, agriculture, livestock, and industry). The SPR originates in the historic Cananea mining area, which hosts some of the most important copper mineralizations in Mexico. Acid mine drainage derived from mine tailings is currently reaching a tributary of the SPR near Cananea City, resulting in the contamination of the SPR with heavy metals and sulfates in water and sediments. This study documents the accumulation and distribution of heavy metals in surface water along a segment of the SPR from 1993 to 2005. Total concentrations of Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, and Zn in surface waters are above maximum permissible levels in sampling sites near mine tailing deposits. Nevertheless, a significant decrease in the Fe and SO₄ ²⁻ in surface water (SO₄ ²⁻: 7,180–460.39 mg/L; Fe: 1,600–9.51 mg/L) as well as a gradual decrease in the heavy and transition metal content were observed during the period from 1994 to 2005. Approximately 2.3 km downstream of the mine tailings, the heavy metal content of the water drops quickly following an increase in pH values due to the discharging of wastewater into the river. The attenuation of the heavy metal content in surface waters is related to stream sediment precipitation (accompanied by metal coprecipitation and sorption) and water dilution. Determining the heavy metal concentration led to the conclusion that the Cananea mining area and the San Pedro River are ecosystems that are impacted by the mining industry and by untreated wastewater discharges arising from the city of Cananea (Sonora, Mexico).     

Dissolved rare earth elements in river waters draining karst terrains in Guizhou Province,China

Winter seasonal concentrations of dissolved rare earth elements (REE) of two major river systems (the Wujiang River system and the Yuanjiang River system) in karst-dominated regions in winter were measured by using a method involving solvent extraction and back-extraction and subsequent ICP-MS measurements. The dissolved REE concentrations in the rivers and their tributaries are lower than those in most of the large rivers in the world. High pH and high cation (i.e., Na⁺ + Ca²⁺) concentrations of the rivers are the most important factors controlling the concentrations of dissolved REE in the river water. The dissolved load (<0.22 μm) REE distribution patterns of high-pH river waters are very different from those of low-pH river waters. The shale (PAAS)-normalized REE patterns for the dissolved loads are characterized by light REE-enrichment and heavy REE-enrichment. Water in the upper reaches of the Wujiang River generally shows light REE-enriched patterns, while that in the middle and lower reaches generally shows heavy REE-enriched patterns. The Yuanjiang River is heavy REE enriched with respect to the light REE in the same samples. Water of the Wuyanghe River draining dolomite-dominated terrains has the highest heavy REE-enrichment. Most river water samples show the shale-normalized REE patterns with negative Ce and Eu anomalies, especially water from Wuyanghe River. Y/Ho ratios show that the water/particle interaction might have played an important role in fractionation between HREE and LREE.     

Arsenic distribution and source in groundwater of Yangtze River Delta economic region,China

This thesis focuses Arsenic(As) distribution and occurrence in groundwater of Yangtze River Delta economic region, East China. 2019 groundwater samples were collected to analyze 26 chemical compositions, including As. The Principal Component Analysis(PCA) was used to find out As source in groundwater. The results show that average As concentration in groundwater of this study is 9.33 μg/l, and maximum As concentration is up to 510 μg/l. The variation coefficient is 314.34%. High arsenic phreatic water(10 μg/l) distributes along the Yangtze River and its estuary. Weak hydrodynamic conditions, wide p H value variation range and deteriorating environment are dominating factors, especially in Yangtze River Delta. The PCA suggests that arsenic in phreatic water is mainly of natural origin. Part of arsenic may directly originate from sediment organics and be related to organics decomposition.     

Hydrogeochemistry and transport of organic contaminants in an urban watershed of Chesapeake Bay (USA)

Stream water samples were collected in the two main free-flowing branches of the Anacostia River watershed above the head of tide over a one year time period. Both the Northeast and Northwest Branches drain large suburban and urban land areas that flow into the more urbanized tidal portion of the Anacostia River within Washington, DC. Large volume (40–75 l) water samples were filtered, and the suspended particulate matter and filtrate were analyzed for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) at sub-nanogram per liter concentrations using ultra-trace analytical methods. Higher amounts of PCBs, PAH, and OCPs in the tidal Anacostia River occurred primarily in the particulate phase during high flow events. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the particulate phase within fluvial transport consisted primarily of pyrogenic homologues characteristic of weathered or combusted petroleum products. Fluxes were exceptionally high for PAHs which showed annual fluxes to the tidal Anacostia River comparable to those determined for the much larger mainstem Potomac River. Aromatic hydrocarbons in runoff from urban regions may serve as an important source of PAH fluxes to the tidal waters of Chesapeake Bay.