Degradation of organic pollutants in near shore marine sediments: Part I—breakdown of pulp mill fibre

Cellulose levels in the sediments of Loch Linnhe and Loch Eil were measured over a period of years following the introduction of pulp mill effluent to system. Cellulose levels in experimental sediment systems subjected to pulp fibre inputs at levels simulating various possible loch input levels were measured and compared. No permanent build up of cellulose in either the loch systems or the experimental systems was observed, even at high input levels.Pulp fibre degradation rates were measured experimentally using two different techniques. No difference was found between the degradation rates of wet and predried fibre.Degradation rates equivalent to 0·2 g dry fibre m^?2 day^?1 were found in areas of low fibre input and 0·5 g dry fibre m^?2 day^?1 in areas of high input were recorded. These rates were of the same order as, but somewhat lower than, the probable input rates to the sediments in Loch Eil. Speculations as to possible reasons for this are advanced.