title: Spatial and temporal analysis of the risks posed by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, polychlorinated biphenyl and metal contaminants in sediments in UK estuaries and coastal waters.
abstract: The environmental risks of 22 contaminants, comprising 6 metals, 10 PAHs and 6 PCB congeners occurring in UK estuaries and coastal waters were assessed as single substances. Sediment samples were taken within 12 nautical miles of the English and Welsh coastlines between 1999 and 2011. The measured environmental concentrations were compared to quality standards including ERL, ERM and EAC, all of which have been established internationally. Out of a total of 38,031 individual samples analysed, 42.6% and 7.7% exceeded the ERL/EAC and ERM values, respectively. The highest Risk Characterisation Ratios (RCRs) for metals, PAHs and PCBs were observed for copper, fluorene and CB118 (2,3',4,4',5-pentachlorobiphenyl). In general, the highest concentrations of PAHs and PCBs were observed in 2011 in the Lower Medway indicating a potential risk to the aquatic environment. This study suggests that re-suspension of contaminants banned over 20years ago is still an ongoing issue.
authors: Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Cefas Lowestoft Laboratory, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0LB, UK. Electronic address: manuel.nicolaus@cefas.co.uk.
authors: E E
authors: EE
authors: Manuel Nicolaus
authors: Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Cefas Lowestoft Laboratory, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0LB, UK.
authors: Robin J
authors: RJ
authors: Law
authors: Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Cefas Lowestoft Laboratory, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0LB, UK.
authors: Serena R
authors: SR
authors: Wright
authors: Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Cefas Weymouth Laboratory, Weymouth, Dorset DT4 8UB, UK.
authors: Brett P
authors: BP
authors: Lyons
mesh_terms: D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D063366:Estuaries; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry*; D008670:Metals / Q000032:analysis*; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000032:analysis*; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis*; D012306:Risk; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012623:Seawater / Q000737:chemistry; D062211:Spatio-Temporal Analysis; D006113:United Kingdom; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D008670:Metals; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; C070055:2,3',4,4',5-pentachlorobiphenyl; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls
keywords: Contaminants; Environmental Quality Standards (EAC, ERM, ERL); Marine sediments; Risk Characterisation Ratio