, 2012). Of the 71 compounds or classes encountered in this study, along with TPH and total PAH, the primary four classes of compounds noted above yielded the highest concentrations. We chose to focus on this set of compounds because we wanted to define broad-scale, robust geographic distribution patterns. Using compounds with higher concentrations allowed us to examine any subtle geographic shifts in that distribution which might have occurred. Such would not have been possible using compounds occurring in very low concentrations. We believe that the distribution

of these classes Talazoparib price of compounds is indicative of other classes as well. The objectives of this study were to define the distribution and abundance patterns of (1) TPH in the northern GOM, within the limits of our sampling regime; (2) PAH; (3) C1-benzo(a)anthracenes/chrysenes; (4 and 5) C2- and C-4 phenanthrenes/anthracenes; and (6) C3-naphthalenes. Selleck Sirolimus The other eight compounds mentioned above are also presented for comparative purposes. The six major classes of compounds were assessed in the following media: (a) seawater; (b) sediment; (c) marine fauna and flora; and (d) some commercial species. The patterns of concentrations were considered in the context of known general meso- and macro-scale

currents in the region. Field samples were collected from coastal waters between the Florida Keys and Galveston, Texas between May and November 2010 (Fig. 1). Sample codes and GIS locations of samples are shown in Table 1. Samples were taken in places and at times defined independently by individual investigators, and data were pooled and later analyzed. No attempt has been made to interpret the results in a temporal context,

only a spatial one. In addition, samples were pooled from several different investigators who were sampling from different regions at different times over a period of several months. The samples were designed to describe potentially affected regions and determine the distribution and abundance of the compounds under spill circumstances. Control samples were not collected because this was not designed a priori Carnitine dehydrogenase as an experimental study; i.e., it was not the purpose of this descriptive study to compare affected sites with control sites. All samples were sealed in plastic ziploc bags or amber jars, cooled to <4 °C, and transferred to refrigerators or freezers for storage at temperatures of <4 °C or −20 °C, respectively, until processed. Replicate samples were often collected. Holding times recommended by processing laboratories for individual media were respected. Samples were shipped in sealed coolers overnight to the laboratories for processing. Standard Chain of Custody procedures were followed regarding delivery of samples to the analytical labs. Processing of samples was similar between the laboratories of the investigators, although details varied in some cases.