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Sediment Core Sectioning and Extraction of Pore Waters under Anoxic Conditions
Published on: March 7, 2016
Historical PCDD inputs and their source implications from dated sediment cores in Queensland (Australia)
C Gaus1, G J Brunskill, R Weber
1National Research Center for Environmental Toxicology, Coopers Plains, Queensland, Australia. C.gaus@mailbox.uq.edu.au
Environmental Science & Technology
|January 5, 2002
Summary
An unidentified source of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) has been present in Queensland
Area of Science:
- Environmental Chemistry
- Marine Science
- Historical Ecology
Background:
- Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) are persistent organic pollutants.
- Unidentified sources of PCDDs have been detected in Queensland's coastal zone.
- Understanding the historical input of PCDDs is crucial for environmental management.
Observation:
- Two estuarine sediment cores from northern Queensland were analyzed.
- Sediment layers spanned up to three centuries of depositional history.
- Radiochemical dating established chronologies for sediment cores.
Findings:
- PCDD concentrations in sediment cores showed minimal variation over centuries.
- Elevated PCDD levels were found in sediments dating back to the early 17th century.
- PCDD/F isomer patterns were consistent over 350 years, dominated by highly chlorinated PCDDs like OCDD.
Implications:
- The findings suggest a PCDD source predates industrialization and commercial organochlorine production.
- PCDD input patterns have been consistent across a wide coastal area for centuries.
- This historical input contributes significant PCDD concentrations to Queensland's coastal environment.
