title: Reconstruction of organochlorine compound inputs in the Tagus Prodelta.
abstract: Twenty century time-resolved variability of riverine deposits of polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs), DDTs, hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs) and hexachlorobenzene (HCB) was studied in three (210)Pb dated sediment cores collected in a depositional shelf area adjacent to the Tagus estuary (the Tagus Prodelta). The geographic and temporal distribution patterns were consistent with discharge of these organochlorine compounds (OCs) in the area associated with the Tagus mouth. Their concentrations were not correlated with the sedimentary total organic carbon. The PCB down-core profiles were dominated by CB138 and CB153 (hexa-CBs) congeners followed by CB180 (hepta-CBs). Principal Component Analysis of the congener distributions of these compounds did not define temporal down-core trends. The ratios of DDT metabolites (p,p'-DDE/p,p'-DDT) were consistent with recent DDT inputs into the environment and/or earlier applications and long-term residence in soils/sediments until these were eroded and remobilized.
authors.affiliation: IPMA, Portuguese Institute of Sea and Atmosphere, Division of Environmental Oceanography and Bioprospection, Avenida de Brasília, 1449-006 Lisboa, Portugal; CIIMAR, Marine and Environmental Research Center, Rua dos Bragas, 289, 4050-123 Porto, Portugal. Electronic address: mario.milhomens@ipma.pt.
authors.forename: Mário
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mil-Homens
authors.affiliation: IPMA, Portuguese Institute of Sea and Atmosphere, Marine Geology and Geological Georesources Division, Avenida de Brasília s/n, 1449-006 Lisboa, Portugal.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vicente
authors.affiliation: Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA), Spanish Council for Scientific Research (CSIC), Jordi Girona, 18, 08034 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
authors.forename: Joan O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Grimalt
authors.affiliation: IPMA, Portuguese Institute of Sea and Atmosphere, Division of Environmental Oceanography and Bioprospection, Avenida de Brasília, 1449-006 Lisboa, Portugal.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Micaelo
authors.affiliation: IPMA, Portuguese Institute of Sea and Atmosphere, Marine Geology and Geological Georesources Division, Avenida de Brasília s/n, 1449-006 Lisboa, Portugal.
authors.forename: Fátima
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Abrantes
mesh_terms: D003634:DDT / Q000032:analysis; D003633:Dichlorodiphenyl Dichloroethylene / Q000032:analysis; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D019015:Geologic Sediments; D006581:Hexachlorobenzene / Q000032:analysis; D001556:Hexachlorocyclohexane / Q000032:analysis; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated / Q000032:analysis*; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000032:analysis; D013030:Spain; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D003633:Dichlorodiphenyl Dichloroethylene; D006581:Hexachlorobenzene; D001556:Hexachlorocyclohexane; D003634:DDT; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls
keywords: DDTs; Hexachlorobenzene; Hexachlorocyclohexanes; Polychlorobiphenyls; Radiocarbon-dated marine cores; River sediments; Tagus Prodelta