Trace contaminant concentrations in the Kara Sea and its adjacent rivers, Russia

Trace organic (chlorinated pesticides, PCBs, PAHs and dioxins/furans) and t race metal concentrations were measured in surficial sediment and biologica l tissues (i.e., worms, crustaceans, bivalve molluscs, and fish livers) col lected from the Russian Arctic. Total DDT, chlordane, PCB and PAH concentra tions ranged from ND to 1.2, ND to <0.1, ND to 1.5 and <20-810 ng g(-1), re spectively, in a suite of 40 surficial sediment samples from the Kara Sea a nd the adjacent Ob and Yenisey Rivers. High sedimentary concentrations of c ontaminants were found in the lower part of the Yenisey River below the sal t wedge. Total dioxins/furans were analysed in a subset of 20 sediment samp les and ranged from 1.4 to 410 pg g(-1). The highest trace organic contamin ant concentrations were found in organisms, particularly fish livers. Conce ntrations as high as 89 ng g(-1) chlordane; 1010 ng g(-1) total DDTs; 460 n g g(-1) total PCBs; and 1110 ng g(-1) total PAH, were detected. A subset of 11 tissue samples was analysed for dioxins and furans with total concentra tions ranging from 12 to 61 pg g(-1). Concentrations of many trace organic and metal contaminants in the Kara Sea appear to originate from riverine so urces and atmospheric transport from more temperate areas. Most organic con taminant concentrations in sediments were low; however, contaminants are be ing concentrated in organisms and may pose a health hazard for inhabitants of coastal villages. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.