MULTIVARIATE APPROACH TO DISTRIBUTION PATTERNS AND FATE OF POLYCYCLICAROMATIC-HYDROCARBONS IN SEDIMENTS FROM SMELTER-AFFECTED NORWEGIAN FJORDS AND COASTAL WATERS

The environmental significance of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PA Hs) generated by the production of aluminum and manganese alloys is an important issue in numerous Norwegian fjords. The fate of these compo unds have been elucidated by analyzing surface and subsurface sediment samples collected over a 15-year period from seven smelter-affected f jords applying principal component analysis (PCA). Consistent patterns within and between fjords and between production types suggested caus al relationships and formed the basis for formulating hypotheses regar ding the fate of the compounds. The PCA was able to differentiate betw een various combustion origins at receptor locations, so far hidden in the traditional treatment of the data restricted to individual fjords . This differentiation reflected industrial processes and most probabl y cleaning arrangements at the different plants. The source-specific s ignals were discernible over considerable distances and down to concen trations 3-4 times background levels. Compound-specific transformation reactions occurring during transport and incorporation into the sedim ents contributed little to the total variance and did not suppress the source-specific signals. This may imply a rather low availability to the bottom fauna and raise questions as to the potential harm inflicte d by smelter-generated PAHs.