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.