The distribution and environmental relationships of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in sediments from Norwegian smelter-affected fjords

PAH distribution was examined in 119 surface sediment samples collected in connection with monitoring surveys in four Norwegian fjords affected by aluminium and manganese alloy smelters. Regression, principal component analysis (PCA) and redundancy analysis (RDA) were used to identify common patterns and possible correlations with explanatory variables (distance, depth, grain size, TOC, C/N-ratio, metals). The best-fitting variables corresponded to the deposition of PAH, expressed either as a function of distance from source or as the amount of PAH-bearing material. This supports the assumption that particulate, combustion-derived PAHs are resistant to transformation during transport and incorporation into surface sediments. Compound-specific processes leading to minor, but systematic and strikingly similar profile variations in the fjords could not be adequately explained by the environmental variables.