BACKGROUND SOIL CONCENTRATIONS OF PHENOLIC-COMPOUNDS, CHLORINATED HERBICIDES, PCDDS AND PCDFS IN THE MELBOURNE METROPOLITAN-AREA

During June and July 1990, surface soil samples were taken in the Melb ourne metropolitan area and analysed for phenolic compounds, chlorinat ed herbicides, polychlorinated dibenzo-para-dioxins (PCDDs) and polych lorinated furans (PCDFs). A surface soil sample from a Werribee Farm T reatment Complex paddock, where cattle graze on land that is used for filtration of sewage, was also taken and analysed. No phenolic compoun ds or chlorinated herbicides were detected at the parts per billion de tection limits in any of the samples. PCDDs and PCDFs were detected in both industrial and nonindustrial sectors of the Melbourne metropolit an area, as well as in effluent from Nufarm Limited, an agricultural c hemicals manufacturer in Laverton North, in similar concentrations (to xic equivalents in the parts per trillion range). These concentrations were consistent with background levels identified in other ma or urba n areas. There was no evidence of the Nufarm effluent fingerprint in a ny of the background soil samples analysed. The fingerprint profile of the sample taken from Werribee Farm, although showing traces of the N ufarm effluent fingerprint, was clearly distinct from that effluent fi ngerprint and consistent with the fingerprint identified in the backgr ound soils. The impact of the Nufarm effluent on the area, therefore, was considered insignificant.