Polychlorinated biphenyls in marine sediments from the southern North Sea and Scheldt estuary: A ten-year study of concentrations, patterns and trends
Roose, P.; Raemaekers, M.; Cooreman, K.; Brinkman, U.A.Th. (2005). Polychlorinated biphenyls in marine sediments from the southern North Sea and Scheldt estuary: A ten-year study of concentrations, patterns and trends. J. Environ. Monit. 7(7): 701-709. dx.doi.org/10.1039/b419240k
In: Journal of Environmental Monitoring. The Royal Society of Chemistry: Cambridge. ISSN 1464-0325; e-ISSN 1464-0333, more
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| Keywords |
Analytical techniques > Chromatographic techniques > Gas chromatography
Composition > Chemical composition
Control > Quality control
Dimensions > Size > Particle size
Monitoring > Environmental monitoring
Pollutants
Polychlorinated biphenyls
ANE, North Sea [Marine Regions]; Belgium [Marine Regions]
Marine/Coastal; Brackish water; Fresh water |
| Abstract |
The paper reports the concentrations and patterns of CBs in sediments of the Belgian part of the southern North Sea and the Scheldt estuary for the period 1991-2001. The long-term analytical performance was well within the quality assurance boundaries set at the outset of the study and is consistent with the state of the art for this type of analysis. The CB concentrations (given as the median of the sum of IUPAC Nos 28, 52, 101, 118, 138, 153 and 180) vary between 0.1 ?g kg-1 and 50 ?g kg-1 dry weight in the total sediment and it could be demonstrated that CB patterns in the fine fraction of the sediment were closely similar throughout the investigated area. Isolation of the fine fraction (<63 ?m) by sieving can be regarded as a physical normalisation to reduce the differences in sediment granulometric composition. It allows for a better understanding of CB distribution and patterns and improves the trend analysis. A significant downward trend could not be found at any of the stations, which suggests that CB levels have not been changing in the area of interest in the past decade. |
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