Abstract
A total of 58 surface sediment samples were taken in 1998 in the outer Jade Bay, southern North Sea, and analysed for grain size distribution, total organic carbon (TOC) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). The latter were positively related to TOC and mud content (<63 µm). Total PAH contents ranged from 6 to 821 ng/g dry sediment. With few exceptions both total PAH and individual compound contents were in the range of natural background values. Based on fluoranthene/pyrene and phenanthrene/anthracene ratios only two samples showed an origin related to oil indicating that oil shipping and other industrial activities in the Jade Bay have no effect on the PAH content of surface sediments. Combustion sources of PAH were dominant.
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