title: Persistent toxic substances in remote lake and coastal sediments from Svalbard, Norwegian Arctic: levels, sources and fluxes.
abstract: Surface sediments from remote lakes and coastal areas from Ny-Alesund, Svalbard, Norwegian Arctic were analyzed for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs). Relatively high levels of PAHs were encountered from several lakes from Ny-Alesund, which were within the range of levels reported for European high mountain lakes and some urban/industrialized areas in the world, pointing to the role of remote Arctic lakes as potential reservoir of semi-volatile organic compounds. Specific patterns of PBDEs were observed, showing higher concentrations of lower brominated compounds such as BDE-7, 17 and 28. Estimated surface sediment fluxes of PAHs in Ny-Alesund remote lakes were similar to those observed for some European high mountain lakes. The current PAH levels in sediments from three lakes exceeded Canadian sediment quality guidelines, suggesting the presence of possible risks for aquatic organisms and the need for further studies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology & Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China.
authors.forename: Liping
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jiao
authors.forename: Gene J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.forename: Tu Binh
authors.initials: TB
authors.lastname: Minh
authors.forename: Bruce
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Richardson
authors.forename: Liqi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Yuanhui
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Leo W
authors.initials: LW
authors.lastname: Yeung
authors.forename: James C W
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Lam
authors.forename: Xulin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Paul K S
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Lam
authors.forename: Ming H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Wong
mesh_terms: D001110:Arctic Regions; D004054:Diethylstilbestrol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000032:analysis; D054750:Ecotoxicology / Q000379:methods*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D005618:Fresh Water; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry*; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated / Q000032:analysis; D009664:Norway; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000032:analysis; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis*; D012623:Seawater; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; C048587:diethylstilbestrol monophosphate; D004054:Diethylstilbestrol; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls