Estimation of polychlorinated dibenzofuran and dibenzo-p-dioxin contamination of a coastal region using isomer profiles in crabs

Journal Article · Sat Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1990 · Environmental Science and Technology; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/es00082a008· OSTI ID:5964620

Oehme, M; Bartonova, A; Knutzen, J ^[1]

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1. Norwegian Institute for Air Research, Lillestroem (Norway)

Compared to other marine biota such as fish, crabs lack the ability to metabolize most of the polychlorinated dibenzofuran (PCDF) and dibenzo-p-dioxin (PCDD) isomers. Therefore, they preserve nearly undisturbed the characteristic isomer profiles found in the wastewater from a magnesium production plant in southern Norway. The isomer pattern of this process shows significant differences compared to other PCDF/PCDD sources such as combustion or the pulp industry. The isomer distribution and concentration levels were determined in pooled samples of stationary male crabs, which were collected within a distance of a few kilometers and more than 100 km from the source. Two main isomer distributions could be identified, one belonging to the Mg process and one more similar to that earlier reported from the Skagerrak region. When statistical methods such as discriminant or variance analyses were employed, the coastal area contaminated by the factor could be estimated to {approximately} 50 km downstream the source.

• OSTI ID: 5964620
• Journal Information: Environmental Science and Technology; (USA), Journal Name: Environmental Science and Technology; (USA) Vol. 24:12; ISSN ESTHA; ISSN 0013-936X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540320* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
ARTHROPODS
BIOLOGICAL ACCUMULATION
CHROMATOGRAPHY
CRABS
CRUSTACEANS
DATA
DECAPODS
DIOXIN
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
FURANS
GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY
HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
INFORMATION
INVERTEBRATES
ISOMERS
MASS SPECTROSCOPY
MEASURING METHODS
NUMERICAL DATA
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SPECTROSCOPY