DISTRIBUTION OF ORGANOHALOGEN IN SEDIMENTS OUTSIDE PULP-MILLS USING SUM PARAMETERS

A method for determining the total amount of organically bound halogen (TOX) in sediments has been developed. TOX is determined as the sum o f extractable organically bound halogen (EOX) and the non-extractable part of organically bound halogen (NEOX), which is determined separate ly. A number of sediment pre-treatment methods were investigated in or der to optimise the EOX determinations. The optimal EOX levels were ob tained by extracting wet sediment with a cyclohexane-isopropanol mixtu re. The organohalogen levels in sediments outside a kraft mill showed a steep declining gradient from the source. The impact area of organoh alogen matter was found to be about 30 km2.