Organic compounds and trace metals of anthropogenic origin in sediments from Montego Bay, Jamaica: assessment of sources and distribution pathways.
Surface sediments throughout Montego Bay, Jamaica were collected in 1995 and analyzed for their trace metal and trace organic contaminant content. A variety of trace metals, petroleum hydrocarbons, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, coprostanol as well as chlorinated hydrocarbons such as pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls were detected and provide evidence for several anthropogenic inputs to the bay. Two main sources of these chemicals are the Montego River and the North Gully, the latter being more significant. Particle-associated pollutants were found to be distributed along the Montego River plume, as well as being transported by the prevailing water currents to the South-Western sections of the bay, probably through re-suspension of enriched fine sediments from the North Gully outfall area.
Jaffé
Rudolf
R
Environmental Geochemistry Laboratory, Southeast Environmental Research Center, Florida International University, Miami 33199, USA. jaffer@fiu.edu
Gardinali
Piero R
PR
Cai
Yong
Y
Sudburry
Aaron
A
Fernandez
Adolfo
A
Hay
Bernward J
BJ
D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry*; D006838:Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis; D007563:Jamaica; D009930:Organic Chemicals / Q000032:analysis*; D010575:Pesticides / Q000032:analysis; D012623:Seawater / Q000737:chemistry; D012722:Sewage / Q000737:chemistry; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000032:analysis*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
D006838:Hydrocarbons; D009930:Organic Chemicals; D010575:Pesticides; D012722:Sewage; D014131:Trace Elements; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical