Sediments around the globe store huge quantities of hydrophobic organic contaminants (HOC; 1000 tons only for PCB 153). As the inflow of pollution is reduced, HOCs may diffuse out from sediments to the water column. Still, processes affecting the diffusive flux of HOCs back to water are poorly investigated, much due to difficulties in experimental design. In this project we develop and employ a novel flow-through benthic chamber with an infinite sink for measurements of HOC flux from sediment. This will for the first time allow for an in situ assessment of the established paradigm of bioturbation being a significant factor regulating mass transfer of HOCs from sediments. Further, this project involves the investigation of the toxicity of the complex mixture of chemicals released from sediment to water.

Contact information

Visiting addresses:

Geovetenskapens Hus,
Svante Arrhenius väg 8, Stockholm

Arrheniuslaboratoriet, Svante Arrhenius väg 16, Stockholm (Unit for Toxicological Chemistry)

Mailing address:
Department of Environmental Science
Stockholm University
106 91 Stockholm

Press enquiries should be directed to:

Stella Papadopoulou
Science Communicator
Phone +46 (0)8 674 70 11
stella.papadopoulou@aces.su.se

Project Info

Project start: 2013

Funded by

FORMAS