Organochlorine contaminants in a coastal lagoon in Argentina: Analysis of sediment, crabs, and cordgrass from two different habitats

Burrowing crabs (Chasmagnathus granulata), sediment collected from inside and outside crab burrows as well as outside the crab bed, and cordgrass (Spartina densiflora) were collected from intertidal mudflat and cordgrass marsh habitats and analyzed for concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners and organochlorine (OC) compounds to test the hypothesis that there are differences in the distribution and bioaccumulation of OC contaminants in coastal lagoon habitats in Argentina. PCB concentrations were relatively low, although the penta- and hexachlorobiphenyl detected in sediments and biota indicated that there had been direct inputs of PCBs into the ecosystem. Heptachlor epoxide, dieldrin, endosulfan sulphate, chlordane compounds, DDT and metabolites, and hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs) were the major pesticides detected in sediment and biota samples. When lipid-normalized concentration data for all OC pesticides in crabs were summed together (ΣOCC), there were higher concentrations in crabs from the cordgrass habitat in comparison to crabs from the mudflat. In sediment samples, there were no significant differences in percent organic matter of marsh and mudflat sediments, but the concentrations of ΣOCC normalized to organic carbon were higher in the sediments collected in the cordgrass marsh. Samples of rhizomes and roots from the cordgrass contained high concentrations of OC compounds and it was estimated that 2.4 kg of heptachlor epoxide, the most abundant OC pesticide, may be present in the total cordgrass root biomass in Mar Chiquita lagoon. These data indicated that the cordgrass in coastal lagoon environments is an important factor in determining the distribution of persistent contaminants, and that a significant portion of the total burden of these hydrophobic compounds may be deposited in cordgrass biomass.     

Identifying water-quality trends in the Trinity River,Texas, USA, 1969–1992, using sediment cores from Lake Livingston

 Chemical analyses were done on cores of bottom sediment from three locations in Lake Livingston, a reservoir on the Trinity River in east Texas to identify trends in water quality in the Trinity River using the chemical record preserved in bottom sediments trapped by the reservoir. Sediment cores spanned the period from 1969, when the reservoir was impounded, to 1992, when the cores were collected. Chemical concentrations in reservoir sediment samples were compared to concentrations for 14 streambed sediment samples from the Trinity River Basin and to reported concentrations for soils in the eastern United States and shale. These comparisons indicate that sediments deposited in Lake Livingston are representative of the environmental setting of Lake Livingston within the Trinity River Basin. Vertical changes in concentrations within sediment cores indicate temporal trends of decreasing concentrations of lead, sodium, barium, and total DDT (DDT plus its metabolites DDD and DDE) in the Trinity River. Possible increasing temporal trends are indicated for chlordane and dieldrin. Each sediment-derived trend is related to trends in water quality in the Trinity River or known changes in environmental factors in its drainage basin or both. Received: 6 October 1995 · Accepted: 13 October 1995     

Tidal river sediments in the Washington,D.C. area. II. Distribution and sources of organic contaminants

Concentration of aliphatic, aromatic, and chlorinated hydrocarbons were determined from 33 surface-sediment samples taken from the Tidal Basin, Washington Ship Channel, and the Anacostia and Potomac rivers in Washington, D.C. In conjunction with these samples, selected storm sewers and outfalls also were sampled to help elucidate general sources of contamination to the area. All of the sediments contained detectable concentrations of aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, DDT (total dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane), DDE (dichlorodiphenyldichloroethene), DDD (dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane), PCBs (total polychlorinated biphenyls) and total chlordanes (oxy-, α-, and γ-chlordane and cis + trans-nonachlor). Sediment concentrations of most contaminants were highest in the Anacostia River just downstream of the Washington Navy Yard, except for total chlordane, which appeared to have upstream sources in addition to storm and combined sewer runoff. This area has the highest number of storm and combined sewer outfalls in the river. Potomac River stations had lower concentrations than other stations. Total hydrocarbons (THC), normalized to the fine-grain fraction (clay + silt, < 63 μm), ranged from 120 μg g^?1 to, 1,900 μg g^?1 fine-grain sediment. The hydrocarbons were dominated by the unresolved complex mixture (UCM), with total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) concentrations ranging from 4 μg g^?1 to 33 μg g^?1 fine-grain sediment. Alkyl-substituted compounds (e.g., C1 to C4 methyl groups) of naphthalene, fluorene, phenanthrere + anthracene, and chrysene series dominated the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, saturated hydrocarbons, and the unresolved complex mixture (UCM) distributions reflect mixtures of combustion products (i.e., pyrogenic sources) and direct discharges of petroleum products. Total PCB concentrations ranged from 0.075 μg g^?1 to 2.6 μg g^?1 fine-grain sediment, with highest concentrations in the Anacostia River. Four to six C1-substituted biphenyls were the most-prevalent PCBs. Variability in the PCB distribution was observed in different sampling areas, reflecting, differing proportion of Arochlor inputs and degradation. The concentration of all contaminants was generally higher in sediments closer to known sewer outfalls, with concentrations of total hydrocarbon, PAHs, and PCBs as high as 6,900 μg g^?1, 620 μg g^?1, and 20 μg g^?1 fine-grain sediment, respectively. Highest PCB concentrations were found in two outfalls that drain into the Tidal Basin. Concentrations of organic contaminants from sewers draining to the Washington Ship Channel and Anacostia River had higher concentrations than sediments of the mid-channel or river. Sources of PCBs appear to be related to specific outfalls, while hydrocarbon inputs, especially PAHs, are diffuse, and may be related to street runoff. Whereas most point-source contaninant inputs have been regulated, the importance of nonpoint source inputs must be assessed for their potential addition of contaminants to aquatic ecosystems. This study indicates that in large urban areas, nonpoint sources deliver substantial amounts of contaminants to ecosystems through storm and combined sewer systems, and control of these inputs must be addressed.     

Analyses of the Compositional Characteristics and Sources of the Organochlorine Pesticides in the Surface Sediments of Guanghai Bay,Taishan City,Guangdong Province

Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) are a class of toxic and harmful persistent organic pollutants widely found in environment. Hexachlorocyclohexane (HCHs) and DDTs are two of the most widely used OCPs (Qiu et al., 2004), so it is important to find out their compositional characteristics and sources in surface sediments. Guanghai Bay is located in the south of Guanghai Bay Industrial Park in Taishan City, Guangdong Province. It borders Huangmaohai to the east and Zhenhai Bay to the west, covering an area of about 236 square kilometers. In this study, surface sediments were collected at 16 sites in Guanghai Bay (Fig. 1). After the surface sediments were pretreated, GC‐MS was used to analyze OCPs. A total of 14 OCPs were detected and their content was shown in Table 1. The concentration of ΣOCPs ranged between 0.507～0.860ng·g‐1, with an average of 0.680 ng?g‐1. In general, the content of ΣOCPs was the highest at No. A12 site. The concentrations of these 14 detected OCPs ordered as dieldrin > epoxy heptachlor > P, P'‐DDD > γ‐HCH >endrin >aldrin > P, P'‐DDE >mirex >hexachlorobenzene >P, P'‐DDT > α‐HCH > δ‐HCH >β‐HCH > heptachlor.     

Heavy metals in the Ventspils Harbour: normalization based on a multi-parameter dataset

Heavy metals were investigated in the sediments of the Ventspils Harbour located in north-west Latvia (eastern Baltic Sea). Sediment samples were analysed for major and trace metals by ICP-AES, supplemented by inorganic and organic carbon as well as grain-size distributions. Principal component analysis of the data resulted in two main parameter clusters associated with Ca- and Al-rich material and indicated differing behaviour of Pb, Cu, Zn, N and P. Normalization with respect to Ca and Al by least absolute values regression removed the spatial pattern of sediment metal content in the harbour. High residual concentrations at individual sites were associated with local contaminations, whereas the overall concentration pattern was governed by the transport of riverine fine material. Dilution with coarser, quartz-rich marine sediments led to a pronounced heavy metal concentration drop towards the harbour gates. High mixing was an important feature of sediment dynamics in the Ventspils Harbour, hampering contaminant source identification and sediment monitoring.     

The use of sediments to detect human impact on the fluvial system

Sediments have been used to detect sources of contamination in a catchment of the Port Jackson (Sydney Harbour) estuary and to evaluate the effects of different land-use practices on the fluvial environment. Mean enrichment (mean concentrations over pre-anthropogenic background) of size-normalized (<62.5 μm) aquatic sediment is 10 × for Cu, 20× for Pb and 90× for Zn adjacent to industrialized areas and 2×, 7× and 7×, respectively for these metals in highly urbanized subcatchments. Diffuse sources contribute minor metals to fluvial sediment even in the most underdeveloped subcatchment (2×, 3× and 3× for Cu, Pb and Zn respectively). Organochlorine pesticide residue concentrations parallel heavy-metal trends due to a common mixed industrial base. Effects-based sediment criteria suggest that some adverse biological impacts are probably occurring in streams flowing through the industrial areas. This interpretation is supported by sequential extraction data which show that a moderate proportion of total heavy metals, especially Zn, is associated with the more bioavailable exchangeable/adsorbed phases in these aquatic sediments. High total suspended solid loads in water downstream of one of the industrial centers, and high particle-bound Cu and Pb concentrations, suggest that most contaminants exiting the catchment do so in association with the solid phase. Received: 29 March 1999 · Accepted: 30 August 1999     

Lithological and geochemical record of mining-induced changes in sediments from Macquarie Harbour,southwest Tasmania,Australia

Macquarie Harbour in southwest Tasmania, Australia, has been affected severely by the establishment of mines in nearby Queenstown in the 1890s. As well as heavy metal-laden acid rock drainage from the Mount Lyell mine area, over 100 Mt of mine tailings and slag were discharged into the Queen and Ring Rivers, with an estimated 10 Mt of mine tailings building a delta of ca. 2.5 km² and ca. 10 Mt of fine tailings in the harbour beyond the delta. Coring of sediments throughout Macquarie Harbour indicated that mine tailings accreted most rapidly close to the King River delta source with a significant reduction in thickness of tailings and heavy metal contamination with increasing distance from the King River source. Close to the King River delta the mine tailings are readily discriminated from the background estuarine sediments on the basis of visual logging of the core (laminations, colour), sediment grain size, sediment magnetic susceptibility and elemental geochemistry, especially concentrations of the heavy metals Cu, Zn and Pb. The high heavy metal concentrations are demonstrated by the very high contamination factors (CF > 6) for Cu and Zn, with CF values mostly >50 for Cu for the mine-impacted sediments. Although the addition of mine waste into the King River catchment has ceased, the catchment continues to be a source of these heavy metals due to acid rock drainage and remobilisation of mine waste in storage in the river banks, river bed and delta. The addition of heavy metals to the harbour sourced from the Mount Lyell mines preceded the advent of direct tailings disposal into the Queen River in 1915 with the metals probably provided by acid rock drainage from the Mount Lyell mining area.     

Distribution and potential sources of organochlorine pesticides in the karst soils of a tiankeng in southwest China

This research was conducted in an attempt to assess the concentration levels and potential sources of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in the karst soils of Dashiwei tiankeng, southwest China. The tiankeng is a karst surface expression that can act as a focal point for introduction of contaminants to groundwater system, which may serve as condenser and receiver for semi-volatile persistent organic pollutants such as OCPs. In this study, surface soil samples from Dashiwei tiankeng were collected and 23 organochlorine pesticide compounds were analyzed. The results showed that the concentration was 0.019–3.605 ng/g for DDTs (sum of p,p’-DDD, p,p’-DDE, o,p’-DDT, p,p’-DDT), 0.001–0.218 ng/g for HCHs (sum of α-, β-, γ-, δ-HCH), 0.003–0.290 ng/g for CHLs (sum of heptachlor, heptachlor epoxide, TC, CC and trans-nonachlor), 0.001–0.064 ng/g for endosulfan (sum of α-endosulfan and β-endosulfan), 0.008–1.630 ng/g for HCB and 0.023–0.928 ng/g for other OCPs (sum of aldrin, dieldrin, methoxychlor, endrin, endrin aldehyde and endrin ketone). The total OCPs concentrations varied from 0.055 to 5.216 ng/g. The ratio of DDT/(DDE + DDD) in the floor soils of Dashiwei tiankeng ranged from 0.434 to 0.797, suggesting a mostly historical residue of technical DDT contamination. However, the ratio of DDT/(DDE + DDD) in the upper rim soils was higher than one, which that there was fresh DDT application nearby. Both the floor and upper rim soils of Dashiwei tiankeng had high ratios of o,p’-DDT/p,p’-DDT (range of 0.016–10.833 with mean of 5.424 and 4.667–7.714 with mean of 5.723, respectively), which implied that the primary source of DDTs was probably from dicofol-type DDT products. The average ratios of α-/γ-HCH were 24.435 in the floor soils and 1.067 in the upper rim soils, together with the averaged percentages of β-HCH among the total HCH isomers (accounting for 33.772 %), indicating that the HCHs were a dominant contribution from technical HCH usage in the past.     

A contemporary contamination record of stormdrain and harbour sediments, Wellington, New Zealand

 Sediments from stormdrain catchments and outlets in Wellington city and sediment traps from Wellington Harbour were sampled for trace metal content. Samples were analysed for total metal content using XRF and ICP-MS. High values of Pb and Zn were found in stormdrain catchments and outlets, decreasing to elevated background rock levels in the harbour. Maximum values were recorded in an inner city stormdrain catchment, with levels of Pb (4605 ppm), Cu (2981 ppm) and Zn (3572 ppm) all higher than the biological probable effects levels (PEL). Concentrations of As, Cr, Cu, Pb, Ni and Zn concentrations in all harbour sediment trap samples were below the PEL. The mean values for each harbour sediment trap sample can be used as an accurate historical baseline in future studies. Stormdrain samples with high trace metal levels were close to industrial and construction sites. The proximity of these outlets to recreational areas should be of concern to local authorities. Received: 28 August 1997 · Accepted: 15 December 1997     

Sediment trace metals and PCB input history in Lake Anna, Virginia, USA

Damming of the North Anna River in 1972 created Lake Anna, a cooling water source for the Dominion nuclear power plant as well as a popular recreation site in Spotsylvania and Orange counties, Virginia, USA. Previously dated (210-Pb) sediment cores from seven locations within the lake and three locations in the adjoining Waste Heat Treatment Facilities (WHTF) were analyzed for trace metals (Al, Ba, Zn, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn and Pb) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) to examine the environmental evolution of the reservoir system. The reservoir has a history of mining activities in its watershed and unusually elevated concentrations of PCBs were found in fish tissues from previous studies. Therefore, dated sediment cores provided the framework for both the temporal and spatial analysis of possible sources and flux histories for both trace metals and PCBs. The trace metals results suggest that, though the upper reaches are relatively less impacted, the old mine tailings from the now ceased mining activities in the watershed of Contrary Creek tributary continue to dominate the sediment chemistry of the lower portion of the lake basin, signified by sediment enrichment of Pb, Cd, Cu, and Zn. Lagoon-2 of the WHTF also seems to be receiving unusually high loadings of Cd (12.5 ± 1.07 μg/g) that is probably associated with waste materials from the nuclear power plant that maintains the lagoons. PCB sediment concentrations were relatively low in the lower sections of the basins with values typically being <3.5 ng/g. The upper reaches of the basin had several PCB hotspots, with the surface sediments of Terry’s Run tributary having values as high as 53.13 ng/g. The spatial distribution of PCBs seems to suggest the upper reaches of the basin as the probable source, with the unusually high concentrations near bridges suggesting a possible link between the PCBs and old bridge fill materials. The oldest lacustrine sediments also had relatively high trace metals and PCB values signifying a probable role of soil disruption and sediment reconcentration during reservoir construction.     

Application of sediment-bound heavy metals in studies of estuarine health: a case study of Brisbane Water estuary,New South Wales

A case study is presented to assess the use of sedimentary chemical indicators for estuarine health. Reliable and efficient estuarine indicators are essential for management and monitoring purposes. Estuarine and fluvial sediments from Brisbane Water estuary were analysed for heavy metals to assess the quality of sediments and to determine the source and dispersion of contaminants in the estuary. Brisbane Water, 50 km north of Sydney, is a shallow (～5 m in main water body), wave-dominated barrier estuary with a generally sparsely developed catchment, except in the north where it is urbanised and industrialised. Heavy-metal loadings calculated for sub-catchments and the distribution of metals in surficial sediment identified Narara Creek, which drains the urbanised northern part of the catchment, as the main source of contaminants. Vertical profiles of sedimentary contaminants show that contamination continues to increase rapidly in all parts of the waterway to the present day. Concentrations of Cu, Pb and Zn in sediment adjacent to Narara Creek exceeded lower guideline levels, although moderate bioavailability (～40% for Cu, Pb and Zn) suggests the risk posed by sediments to benthic populations is low. Sediments in all parts of Brisbane Water show evidence of minor anthropogenic influence with maximum human-induced change (up to 5× enrichment) in the north of the estuary. Results demonstrate the use of sediment-bound heavy metal as an appropriate indicator of estuarine health.     

Groundwater vulnerability assessment of the Cork Harbour area,SW Ireland

In the Cork Harbour area of SW Ireland, high yield karst and intergranular gravel aquifers are extremely vulnerable to pollution from a variety of sources, mainly due to the limited protection afforded by the thin cover of low permeability glacial and alluvial overburden. The main potential sources of pollution are due to rapid urbanisation of the Cork city area and its attendant infrastructure, and increased industrialisation in the area, with numerous new industries, particularly pharmaceutical and chemical industries, located around Cork Harbour. Other potential sources of pollution are a number of landfills in the area and an oil refinery near the mouth of Cork Harbour. Traditional agricultural sources of pollution also exist, due to increased use of chemical fertilisers. Finally, the susceptibility to saline intrusion of the karst and gravel aquifers around Cork Harbour is high due to the long coastline of the harbour and the low-lying nature of the karst synclines with their superimposed buried valleys.     

An investigation of geochemical factors controlling the distribution of PCBs in intertidal sediments at a contamination hot spot,the Clyde Estuary,UK

The concept that total organic C (TOC) is the main factor dominating the sorption of PCBs to sediment is over simplified. Numerous discrepancies are found when trying to compare concentrations predicted from laboratory observations to field concentrations. Some studies show a lack of correlation between PCB and TOC or particle size, but state that it is the origin of the organic matter or the clay swelling that is most important in determining the partitioning to sediment. It may also be argued that the discrepancies are merely a reflection of localised inputs of PCBs. An evaluation of the influence of these factors was undertaken at an intertidal site in the Clyde Estuary, previously highlighted as being highly contaminated by PCBs. Analysis of a series of sediment samples failed to show a strong correlation of PCB content with TOC or particle size. Separation into grain-size fractions and subsequent analysis suggested that both variation in organic matter source and mineralogical composition exerts an influence on congener distribution with implications for the mobility of PCBs within intertidal sediments.     

Spatio-temporal trends of heavy metals and source apportionment in Tolo Harbour,Hong Kong

This study provided a picture of the spatial and temporal distributions of Cr, Co, Ni Cu, Zn, As, Cd and Pb in bottom sediments of Tolo Harbour. The concentrations of the eight heavy metals differed significantly between sites due to the poor tidal flushing in Tolo Harbour. The levels of Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb were generally enriched in sediments from inner Tolo Harbour, while sediments from outer Tolo Harbour (Tolo Channel) had higher levels of Cr, Co and Ni. The redox sensitive element arsenic showed no distinct spatial pattern in Tolo Harbour. The decreasing levels of Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd in sediments with increasing distance from land demonstrated a typical diffusion pattern from land to the direction of sea. Two hot spots of Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd in sediments were located near Tai Po and Sha Tin new town, indicating that Cu, Zn, Pb and Zn were from land-derived sources. The sites with relatively high levels of Cr, Co and Ni in sediments were located in areas close to waste spoil in sea floor. The natural and anthropogenic inputs from Sha Tin and Tai Po to Tolo Harbour were mostly responsible for Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb enrichment in sediments from inner Tolo Harbour. The waste spoil in sea floor was believed to contribute to the Cr, Co and Ni in outer Tolo Harbour. The results of correlation coefficient between the eight heavy metals showed that Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb were strongly positively correlated, and Cr, Co and Ni were also significantly correlated with each other. The best explanation of strong correlation was their similar source. As, however, is not well correlated with the other seven heavy metals. The average concentrations of Cu and Zn displayed general increasing trends from 1978 to 2006 in Tolo Harbour, while the mean levels of Cr and Pb displayed a substantial decrease from 1978 to 1987, then a slight increase after 1987. No distinct temporal trends of the concentrations of Ni and As were observed from 1978 due to the inconsecutive data. On the other hand, the increasing trends of Cr, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb were observed since 1996.     

海南岛洋浦港现代沉积速率

通过对海南岛洋浦港4个沉积柱样沉积结构?Pb-210?Cs-137放射性强度的分析,研究该区的现代沉积速率?洋浦港海域为一潮汐叉道,沉积物的分布主要受潮流分布的影响,近代沉积过程具有阶段性的特点,在港口的许多地方正持续着侵蚀与堆积的循环?洋浦深槽的沉积物主要为粉砂?粘土,砂质物主要由河流?落潮流带入,而大部分的粘土颗粒物质由涨潮流带入深槽,在高平潮水动力能量减小的条件下沉降下来,由于这种沉积物传输的双向性导致了极易变化的沉积结构?粗砂粉砂的交替沉积反映了风暴潮事件对该区域的影响?根据Pb-210?Cs-137测年法,洋浦港深槽的现代沉积速率为0.5~2cm/a,本世纪初以来,拦门沙处于稳定增长的状态,其平均增长率为1~2cm/a?该方法应用于地质年代学具有实际的意义?     

NOAA gulf of Mexico status and trends program: Trace organic contaminant distribution in sediments and oysters

Polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), chlorinated pesticides, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) concentrations were determined in sediment and oysters to provide information on the current status of the concentration of these contaminants in Gulf of Mexico coastal areas removed from point sources of input. Coprostanol analyses of sediments showed that anthropogenic materials are associated with the sediments at all 153 stations sampled. The levels of contaminants encountered are low compared with areas of known contamination. Average PAH concentrations are nearly the same in oysters and sediments, although the molecular weight distribution is different. Average DDT and PCB concentrations are higher by a factor of 10 to 130 in oysters as compared to sediments. Continued sampling and analyses will allow for long-term trends in the concentrations of these contaminants to be determined.     

Test of experimental set-ups for electrodialytic removal of Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd from different contaminated harbour sediments

Electrodialytic removal of heavy metals from different harbour sediments was investigated. Electrodialytic remediation experiments in laboratory scale were made with calcareous and non-calcareous harbour sediments. Two different experimental set-ups were used for the study, one with stirring of the sediment slurry, the other without stirring. The removal of heavy metals was highest in the non-calcareous sediment, where 94% Cd, 91% Zn and 73% Cu were removed after 24 days. The highest removal obtained for the calcareous sediment was 81% Cd, 76% Zn, 75% Pb and 53% Cu after 21 days, with stirred sediment slurry. Electrodialytic experiments without stirring of calcareous sediment gave high removals (84% Zn, 58% Pb and 48% Cu), but there were problems with precipitations in the sediment, which limited the removal. The stirred experiments gave the highest removals of heavy metals and the voltage was the most stable in these experiments, and thus, the stirred set-up is the best choice for experimental set-up. The order in which the heavy metals were removed from the harbour sediments was Cd>Zn>Pb>Cu.     

ΣDDT,PCBs, and HCB in the sediments of Lake Geneva and the upper Rhône River

Eighty surface sediment samples taken in 1978 from Lake Geneva, together with two cores sampled in 1976 and 1980, and 30 samples (1978) from the Rhone River were analyzed for organochlorine compounds. DDT, its metabolites (DDE, TDE), HCB, and PCB were found. No other organochlorine compound was identified at the detection level of 0.5 ppb. DDT metabolites were widespread and indicated residual DDT sources in the Rhone watershed and other minor lake tributaries, particularly on the Swiss coast. DDT levels have declined since an apparent peak usage in 1957. HCB was found in almost all samples. It first appeared about 1962 with consistent usage to the present. Use is widespread with the major source being the Rhône River. PCB was found in all samples at levels comparable to levels in the North American Great Lakes. Sources appear to be diffuse urban/industrial, with major inputs on the Swiss shore between Vevey and Morges. Peak use of PCB occurred in 1972 and was followed by a decline to 1978, with some evidence for a second increase to 1980, the latest sample available. Both HCB and PCB were found at high levels in the most upstream samples of the Rhône River which may be indicative of substantial atmospheric loadings of these two compounds to the Lake Geneva Basin.     

围海造地工程对香港维多利亚港现代沉积作用的影响

对采自香港维多利亚港的 4个 6m长的沉积柱状样作了2 10 Pb及Pb、Zn、Cu含量分析。结果表明,维多利亚港开阔区域现代沉积速率在 0.3～ 2cm/a之间变化,西部大于东部。在九龙海峡主航道上,基本上处于冲淤平衡状态。由于近百年来围海造地、海岸工程建设,使维多利亚港的岸线发生了较大的变化,在台风避风塘等潮流作用较弱的区域及靠近城市排污口的地方沉积速率可达 3～ 5cm/a,这表明围海造地、海岸工程等造成的岸线变化是影响维多利亚港堆积侵蚀的主要因素。Pb、Zn、Cu等重金属在沉积柱状样中的分布表明,在沉积速率较快的区域,重金属的污染也较为严重。     

Trace metals and organic compounds in sediment samples from the River Danube in Russe and Lake Srebarna (Bulgaria)

 In 1995 the contamination status of accumulated fine surface sediments and effluent material from the River Danube in Russe (Bulgaria) was analysed for trace metals (Hg, Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn, Cr, Ni, As), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), hexachlorobenzene (HCB), 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis [chlorophenyl] ethane (DDT), 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis [chlorophenyl] ethylene (DDE), 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis [chlorophenyl] ethane (DDD), and hexachlorocyclohexanes (α-, β-, γ- and δ-HCH) to achieve basic information about the River Danube in Bulgaria. The range of trace-metal levels came close to or below the intended quality criteria for the River Elbe in Germany. The only exceptions were Pb in a shipyard, exceeding the final criteria by a factor of 17, and Cr downflow from a metal factory. In one sample from a shipyard (D8) the highest trace metal concentrations were analysed in the fraction 125–2000 μm. The maximum measured PAH contents exhibited a contamination on the lower μg g^–1 d.w.-level (dry weight base), traces of PCBs, HCB and DDD/DDE were analysed in the ng g^–1 d.w.-range. DDT and HCHs were not detected in any sample. The trace-metal and organic-compounds level in sediments from Lake Srebarna (UNESCO-Biosphere Reserve) displayed completely background character. Received: 18 March 1997 · Accepted: 21 July 1998