Comparative analysis of fluoranthene, napthalene, pyrene, decamethylcyclopentasiloxane (D5), and 2,4,6,8-tetramethylcyclotetrasiloxane (2468) in Anacostia and Potomac watershed locations

The Anacostia River is a major waterway located in Washington, D.C. and is one of the nation’s 10 most contaminated rivers, and has been cited by the EPA as a "major area of concern" for the Chesapeake region. The Potomac River Basin is much larger, and as a whole, is less polluted than the Anacostia as its watershed is less urban or impervious. Yet, the portion of the watershed that is in the DMV region is one of the more urbanized portions. The following research aimed to determine the concentrations of five contaminants – fluoranthene, napthalene, pyrene, decamethylcyclopentasiloxane (D5), and 2,4,6,8-Tetramethylcyclotetrasiloxane (2468) – at three sites each within the Anacostia and Potomac watersheds. Determining these concentrations can establish whether or not there is a correlation between contaminant concentrations and land use patterns, as well as contaminant concentrations and seasonality. In general, there were no statistically significant differences when comparing concentrations between the two rivers or with seasonality. While the aim was to identify all five of these contaminants, 2468 was not found, and napthalene was only found in one sample.