Extractable organohalogens (EOX) in sediment and biota collected at an estuarine marsh near a former chloralkali facility
- Michigan State Univ., East Lansing, MI (United States)
- Ehime Univ., Matsuyama (Japan). Dept. of Environment Conservation
- Yokohama City Univ. (Japan). Dept. of Hygiene
Extractable, organically bound chlorine (EOCl), which is determined by neutron activation analysis (NAA), has been used as a measure of pollution by chlorinated organics. In this study, the concentrations and distribution of extractable organohalogens (EOX = EOCl + EOBr + EOl) were measured in sediment, blue crab, fishes, birds, and terrapin collected at an estuarine marsh and a nearby creek contaminated by the disposal of wastes from a former chloralkali facility. The concentrations of the organohalogens were in the order of EOCl {much_gt} EOBr > EOl. The sediment EOCl concentration was comparable to those reported for sediments at sites that have been contaminated by the disposal of bleached kraft pulp mill effluents. The concentrations of EOCl measured in the tissues of blue crab, fishes, and birds were higher than any values previously reported. The absolute concentrations of EOCl coupled with its elevated proportions relative to the concentrations of EOBr or EOl in biota suggest that wastes from the chloralkali processes are a potential source of chlorinated organics present in the environment.
- OSTI ID:
- 345128
- Journal Information:
- Environmental Science and Technology, Vol. 33, Issue 7; Other Information: PBD: 1 Apr 1999
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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