Particle-size-fractioned transfer of dioxins from sediments to water columns by resuspension process

Abstract

Particle-size-fractioned transfer of dioxins from sediments to water columns by resuspension process was investigated, using supernatant samples obtained from shaking experiments of sediment–water pairs simulating natural disturbances. The concentrations (dry-matter mass basis) of individual compounds ( C fraction ) in two particle size fractions (0.1–1 and 1–10 μm) in the supernatants were generally slightly higher than those in the original sediment ( C sed ). C fraction / C sed ratios ranged from 0.45 to 5.9 (median 1.5) without consistent differences among congener groups or consistent correlations against the number of chlorine atoms. The dioxin concentrations in the water column associated with the remaining sediment particles can therefore be estimated by those in the original sediment and by the concentration of suspended sediment particles in the water. The concentration of each compound in the remaining sediment particles (mostly 0.1–10 μm in size) can be roughly estimated by multiplying the concentration in the original sediment by 1.5.