The distribution of linear alkylbenzenes in coastal and estuarine sediments of the western North Sea

Abstract

Linear alkylbenzenes (LAB) are synthetic compounds used as precursors for the manufacture of linear alkylbenzene sulfonates (LABS) and which have been previously used as molecular tracers of sewage contamination. LABS are anionic surfactants commonly used in commercial detergents and both LAB and LABS are introduced to the aquatic environment through wastewater discharges. The present paper reports the concentrations of linear alkylbenzenes (LABs) in sediment samples from The Wash and the Thames and Humber Estuaries. The concentrations found in sediment samples from the Humber and Wash areas ranged between 2.5–84.8 ng g −1 dry wt and their distributions follow the path of the plumes. LAB concentrations in samples from the Thames estuary ranged from 0.10–2.3 μg g −1 dry wt with the highest concentration occurring at the sludge dumping site.