DISTRIBUTION AND PARTITIONING OF POLYCHLORINATED DIBENZO-P-DIOXINS, POLYCHLORINATED DIBENZOFURANS AND POLYCHLORINATED-BIPHENYLS IN THE HUMBER ESTUARY, UK

The distribution and concentration of polychlorinated dibenzo-para-dio xins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzo-furans (PCDFs) and polychlorinat ed biphenyls (PCBs) in Humber Estuary bed sediment and in suspended pa rticulate matter were extensively studied. Dioxin concentrations in se diments ranged from below detection to 3830 pg g(-1) and PCB concentra tions were from non-detectable to 84 ng g(-1). These concentrations we re low in comparison to other estuaries. The concentrations of chlorin ated organics were found to be correlated with sediment lipid content, which is a significant factor in determining the contaminant distribu tion in the Humber Estuary. Laboratory experiments were carried out us ing C-14-radiolabelled compounds to determine partition coefficients ( K-D). A K-D of 2.5 x 10(5) was determined for 2,3,7,8-TCCD and that of 6.4 x 10(4) for 2,2',5,5'-TCB; these did not vary significantly with salinity. There was no evidence in either the concentration data or th e homolog profiles that contamination from tributaries to the Humber E stuary had penetrated the estuary in significant quantities. (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd