COMPOSITION AND DISTRIBUTION OF POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBON CONTAMINATION IN SURFICIAL MARINE-SEDIMENTS FROM KITIMAT-HARBOR, CANADA

Surficial marine sediments from 20 sites within the Kitimat fjord syst em were analyzed for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), Levels o f the sum of the 16 USEPA priority pollutant PAHs varied from below de tection limits (ca, 1 mu g . g(-1)) to over 10 000 mu g . g(-1). Sedim ent PAH levels were highest in the immediate vicinity of a large alumi num smelter at the head of Kitimat Arm, and declined rapidly with incr easing distance from the smelter. However, even at some of the more di stant sites which are geographically isolated from the smelter PAH lev els were elevated. The PAH distribution in the fjord system is consist ent with a combination of aeolian and fluvial transport of PAHs emitte d by the aluminum smelter at the head of Kitimat Arm. The mixture of P AHs present was qualitatively similar in all samples analyzed, includi ng those from the distant sites. All aspects of the PAH composition ar e consistent with combustion generated PAHs. A correlation between PAH levels and sediment organic carbon was observed; however, this was on ly significant for highly contaminated sites in the harbor. This proba bly reflects the high organic content of particulate emissions from th e smelter, rather than equilibrium partitioning of PAHs to sediment or ganic carbon within the harbor itself.