BLEACHED KRAFT PULP-MILL SOURCED ORGANIC-CHEMICALS IN SEDIMENTS FROM NEW-ZEALAND RIVERS .1. WAIKATO RIVER

The concentrations of resin acids and chlorophenolic compounds were me asured in river sediments above and below the effluent discharge point of a New Zealand bleached kraft pulp and paper mill. No significant c oncentrations of resin acids were found at background sites. Backgroun d concentrations of total chlorophenolic compounds ranged from <0.1 ng g(-1) to 35 ng g(-1). Elevated concentrations of both compound classe s were observed downstream of the mill. Total concentrations immediate ly below the discharge point were 76.6 mu g g(-1) and 30.7 ng g(-1) dr y weight respectively for the resin acids and chlorophenolic compounds . Chlorophenolic compound concentrations declined to background levels 20 km downstream whereas resin acids reached background concentration s after 38 km. Shallow surficial sediments were shown to contain the m ajority of the organic compounds.