Characteristics of PAHs, PCDD/Fs and PCBs in sediment following forest fires in northern Alberta

Extensive forest fires occurred in northern Alberta, Canada, in 1998. Polyn uclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were studied f ollowing these forest fires in order to explore natural and anthropogenic i nfluences on the affected forest fire area. Specifically, concentrations an d profiles of these compounds were determined in sediment samples. A predom inance of alkylated PAH derivatives over parent PAHs were observed at the b urned and reference sites. Naturally dervied PAHs were abundant at all site s. A high proportion and concentration of retene was observed at the totall y burned site and indicates some inputs from forest fires. Very low concent rations of PCDD/Fs and PCBs were observed at all sites, and the profiles we re very similar. This likely reflects common atmospheric contributing sourc es to the study area. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.