R. Fuoco et al., POLYCHLOROBIPHENYLS IN SEDIMENT, SOIL AND SEA-WATER SAMPLES FROM ANTARCTICA, International journal of environmental analytical chemistry, 61(4), 1995, pp. 309-318
The presence of PCBs was evaluated in environmental samples collected
in Antarctica during the 1990-91 and 1991-92 Italian Expeditions by us
ing an optimized procedure for GC-ECD peak assignment. In particular,
marine sediment samples from Terra Nova Bay and Ross Sea, and lake sed
iment and soil samples from Victoria Land, near to the Italian Base (B
TN) (1990-1991 expedition) were collected and analyzed. The relevant P
CB concentrations ranged between 30-160, 60-120 and 40-70 pg/g respect
ively, and were strongly dependent on the particle size distribution o
f each sample as found in previous expeditions. The depth profiles of
PCB content in marine sediment samples collected in a few stations cle
arly show that PCBs are confined in a surface layer of about 10 cm. A
coastal sea water depth profile of PCBs before and after pack ice melt
ing was also obtained by collecting samples in Terra Nova Bay-Gerlache
Inlet (1990-91 expedition). The total PCB concentration was about 140
pg/l and was practically constant up to 25 m deep. At 250 m which is
near the sea bed, an increase of PCB content up to about 200 pg/l was
observed. Finally, PCBs were measured in sea water samples collected i
n the same area (1991-92 expeditions), showing an increase of about 70
% in the surface water layer after pack ice melting.