POLYCHLORINATED-BIPHENYLS AND NONYLPHENOLS IN THE SEA OF JAPAN

Determination of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and nonylphenols (No Phs) in the Sea of Japan not only points out the extent of marine poll ution but also helps to understand the deep sea structure of that semi -enclosed ''small ocean''. Using an in-situ filtration/extraction tech nique, two vertical profiles (deep water and shallow coastal water) an d two space-integrated surface profiles were taken. Concentrations of Sigma CBs (sum of 30 individual congeners) in solution were between 0. 1 and 1.2 pg dm(-3) and in suspension were between 0.2 and 1.5 pg dm(- 3); those of Sigma NoPhs in solution were 2-150 pg dm(-3) and below de tection limits in suspension. The concentrations of Sigma CBs and nony lphenols in solution as well as the compositions of the CB mixtures in solution in the vertical profile indicates a vertical structure simil ar to the situation in the open ocean as suggested by Kim (Biogeochemi cal processes in the North Pacific; Tsunogai, S., Ed.; Japan Marine Sc ience Foundation: Tokyo 1996; pp 41-51). The concentrations of CBs in solution were determined primarily by chara cteristics of the water bo dies involved, solution-suspension interactions playing only a minor r ole. Principal component analyses of the data revealed a relation betw een deep and bottom waters and surface waters of the nearby region.