Nonylphenols, nonylphenol-ethoxylates, linear alkylbenzenesulfonates (LAS)and bis(4-chlorophenyl)-sulfone in the German Bight of the North Sea

Nonylphenols and nonylphenol-ethoxylates were detected in the water and sed iment samples from the German Bight of the North Sea. Additionally bis (4-c hlorophenyl)-sulfone and linear alkylbenzenesulfonates (LAS) were detected in marine waters. Proof of identification is given by comparison of spectra l and chromatographic data from the compounds in sample extracts to those o btained from pure standards. In extracts obtained from water samples taken in 1990 and 1995 the concentrations of nonylphenols and bis-(4-chlorophenyl )-sulfone were compared for each year. The concentrations of nonylphenols i n seawater varied from 0.7 to 4.4 ng/l while in the Elbe estuary about 33 n g/l were found. In water samples taken in 1998 nonylphenol-polyethoxylates could not be deter-mined, whereas LAS concentrations of 30 ng/l were confir med by HPLC-MS/MS. The concentrations of bis (4-chlorophenyl)-sulfone range d from 0.18 to 2.2 ng/l. In sediment samples LAS concentrations of 39-109 n g/g dry weight were determined. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights r eserved.