Distribution and Fate of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Sediments and Fluffy Layer Material from the Odra River Estuary

Abstract

The distribution and fate of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were investigated in surface sediments (0...2 cm) and fluffy layer material of the internal and external coastal waters of the Odra river estuary (north-eastern Germany). The area includes the Odra Lagoon (Oderhaff), the Greifswalder Bodden, the Pomeranian Bight, and the Arkona Basin. Elevated concentrations were observed in the surface sediments of the internal coastal waters with highest concentrations in the Odra Lagoon. This indicates a significant contribution of river discharge to the contamination of sediments with PAHs. During the exceptional Odra flood in the summer of 1997 significantly higher concentrations of PAHs were found in the fluffy layer material of the Odra Estuary. The distribution of the individual PAH compounds varies widely depending on their structure and molecular weight. A concentration gradient of the lower molecular weight PAHs was found from the Odra Lagoon to the open sea areas. The concentrations decreased rapidly from the Oder Haff to the Arkona Basin. These results were found in both sediments and fluffy layer material. This is attributed to the degradation of the lower molecular weight PAHs during transport from the urban regions to the sedimentation basins. A decrease of this magnitude was not found for the higher molecular weight PAHs (i.e. benzo(a)pyrene) due to their higher persistence. An enrichment of these compounds was measured in the Arkona Basin.