Occurrence and sources of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, dibenzofurans and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls in surficial sediments of Lakes Superior and Huron.
Concentrations and congener profile patterns of 2378-substituted PCDD/Fs and DLPCBs in offshore, nearshore and tributary sediments of Lakes Superior and Huron are reported, and spatial trends and source contributions assessed. PCDD/F concentrations ranged from 5 to 18,000 pg/g dw (Lake Superior) and 3 to 6100 pg/g dw (Lake Huron); DLPCBs ranged from 9 to 11,000 pg/g dw (Lake Superior) and 9 to 27,000 pg/g dw (Lake Huron). Our analysis indicated atmospheric deposition is a primary source to depositional areas of both lakes; however, greater PCDD/F and DLPCB concentrations were observed at several nearshore and tributary sites, and were attributed to corresponding land use in the watershed. Statistical analysis and pattern comparison suggested that industrial inputs mainly associated with wood treatment plants, pulp and paper mills, mining operations, and chlorine-based chemical manufacturing also contributed to contamination by PCDD/Fs and DLPCBs in certain nearshore and offshore areas of Lakes Superior and Huron.
Shen
Li
L
Department of Chemistry, Brock University, St Catharines, Ontario, Canada.
Gewurtz
Sarah B
SB
Reiner
Eric J
EJ
Macpherson
Karen A
KA
Kolic
Terry M
TM
Khurana
Vin
V
Helm
Paul A
PA
Howell
E Todd
ET
Burniston
Debbie A
DA
Brindle
Ian D
ID
Marvin
Chris H
CH
D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis; D001572:Benzofurans / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D002170:Canada; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D005618:Fresh Water; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry*; D010575:Pesticides / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D000072317:Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry
D000393:Air Pollutants; D001572:Benzofurans; D010575:Pesticides; D000072317:Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; C023614:dibenzofuran; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls