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Cyclic organochlorines in North Sea sediments, relation with size and organic matter

Zyklische organische Chlorverbindungen in Nordseesedimenten: Verteilung von organischer Substanz und feinpartikulärem Material

Les Organochlorines cycliques dans les Sédiments de la Mer du Nord, relation avec la taille et les matières organiques

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Summary

The geographical distribution of organic matter and particles <20 μm in North Sea sediments as well as the correlation between organic content, <20 μm fraction and ΣPCB (as the sum of content of 24 individual components), p, p′-DDE, HCB, α-HCH and Lindane (γ-HCH) is reported. High amounts of organic matter and fine particles have been found in Fladen Ground, Kattegat/Skagerrak/Norwegian Channel, and the inner German Bight. Organic matter settling in the Kattegat/Skagerrak/Norwegian Channel is probably degraded by benthic organisms, including mineralization by bacteria. The smelter in south Norway and the rivers Ems and Elbe are point sources for HCB, the ‘mud-area’ south-east of Helgoland is a point source for HCB and PCBs. No point source, however, was found for p,p′-DDE. Sediment content of ΣPCB, p,p′-DDE and HCB show a good correlation to the amount of organic matter and to the <20 μm fraction. α-HCH and Lindane are only poorly adsorbed onto sediments.

Zusammenfassung

Es wird über die Verteilung von organischer Substanz und feinpartikulärem Material <20 μm in Nordseesedimenten sowie über die Korrelation der Sedimentparameter mit den Konzentrationen von polychlorierten Biphenylen (24 Einzelisomere), p,p′-DDE, HCB, α-HCH und Lindan (γ-HCH) berichtet. Hohe Gehalte an organischer Substanz und der <20 μm Fraktion wurden im Fladengrund, Kattegat/ Skagerrak/Norwegische Rinne sowie in der inneren Deutschen Bucht gefunden. Die Ergebnisse legen den Schluß nahe, daß ein Großteil des sedimentierten organischen Materials vor der norwegischen Küste von Benthosorganismen und Bakterien verstoffwechselt wird. Durch die mit Søderbergelektroden arbeitenden Metallschmelzen Südnorwegens sowie durch die Flüsse Elbe und Ems werden die Sedimente punktuell mit HCB belastet. Das Schlammgebiet südöstlich von Helgoland tritt als Emittent für PCBs in Erscheinung. Für p,p′-DDE konnte keine Punktquelle nachgewiesen werden. Im Gegensatz zu α-HCH und Lindan korrelieren die Sedimentkonzentrationen an PCBs, HCB und p,p′-DDE gut mit den Gehalten an organischer Substanz bzw. feinpartikulärem Material.

Résumé

La distribution géographique de matière organique et des particules de taille inférieure à 20 μm dans les sédiments de la Mer du Nord ainsi que la corrélation entre le contenu organique, (la fraction <20 μm) et PCB (somme des contenus de 24 composants individuels), p, p′-DDE, HCB, α-HCH et Lindane (γ-HCH) est décrite. D'importantes quantités de matières organiques et de particules fines ont été trouvées à Fladen Ground, Kattegat/Skagerrak/Norwegian Channel et dans le baie intérieur allemende. Les composants organiques qui se trouvent dans le Kattegat/ Skagerrak/Norwegian Channel sont probablement soumis à la dégradation par des organismes (benthic), et aussi à une minéralisation par bactéries. Les usines de métallurgie du Sud de la Norvège et la rivière l'Ems et l'Elbe sont des points sources pour HCB, les zones de boue au Sud Est de Helgoland sont des points sources pour HCB et PCB. Aucun point source ne fût trouvé cependant pour p, p′-DDE. Le contenu en sédiment de PCB, p, p′-DDE et HCB montre une bonne corrélation avec la quantité de matière organique et la fraction <20 μm. α-HCH et Lindane ne sont que peu absorbés dans les sédiments.

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  1. Rainer Knickmeyer &  Hans Steinhart

    Present address: Institut für Biochemie und Lebensmittelchemie der Universität Hamburg, Martin-Luther-King-Platz 6, 2000, Hamburg 13

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    1. Rainer Knickmeyer
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    2. Hans Steinhart
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    Knickmeyer, R., Steinhart, H. Cyclic organochlorines in North Sea sediments, relation with size and organic matter. Deutsche Hydrographische Zeitschrift 42, 43–59 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02226420

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