Distribution of organochlorines, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, phosphorus and 137Cs in sediment profiles from Ellen Brook in Western Australia

Abstract

Profile distributions are compared of organochlorines (OCs), unsubstituted polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), phosphorus and 137Cs and 210Pb in sediment cores from Ellen Brook, a tributary of the Swan River in Western Australia. Distributions and concentrations of OCs, phosphorus and 137Cs clearly reflect changes in their inputs to the catchment over time, whereas the distribution and concentration of PAHs in sediments is more difficult to relate to catchment inputs. A comparison of areal concentrations of 137Cs, OCS and PAHs - calculated from concentrations in sediment profiles from Ellen Brook - suggests that 137Cs and OCs trace similar soil materials, whereas PAHs behave differently.