Sources and characteristics of phenolic compounds in the Seine estuary (France)

Within the framework of the multi-disciplinary program Seine Aval, phenolic compounds obtained by CuO oxidation have been studied since 1995. Quantita tive analyses have shown a terrestrial contribution in flood, characterized by compounds of the group P (polyols + phenol), S (syringic) and H (hydrox ybenzoic). During the low water period, phenolic compounds allow a clear di stinction between fluvial and estuarine suspended material. Fluvial run-off contained Syringic, Hydroxybenzoic and Vanillic phenols. In contrast, upst ream penetrating marine and estuarine waters are characterized by cinnamic phenols originating from estuarine herbus. In the turbidity maximum zone, a erobic degradation of lignin material increases the (vanillic acid/vanillin ) ratio. (C) 2000 Ifremer /CNRS/IRD/Editions scientifiques et medicales Els evier SAS.