Depth Distribution of Chlorinated and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Floodplain Soils of the River

Abstract

Abstract Depth profiles of various organic micropollutants were measured in floodplain soils of the river Elbe, Germany. The study area lies in the former East Germany (GDR) and displays elevated concentrations of pesticides and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Depth distributions were found to vary at different sampling points and among the individual compounds, which could only partly be explained by comparing normalized concentrations (organic carbon). Metabolization, mobilization, and effects of sedimentation and erosion also need to be taken into account to understand the contaminant patterns found in the different profiles.