Abstract

The concentration of chlorophenolic compounds in suspended sediments was determined at four sites located on the upper Fraser River in British Columbia, Canada. One site was located upstream from the five pulp mills on the Fraser River, while the remaining three sites were located downstream from these mills. Suspended sediment samples were collected using a continuous flow centrifuge during the fall low flow and winter (under ice) periods. Nineteen chlorophenolic compounds were detected t samples collected from the downstream sites, with 4,5-dichlorocatechol, 3,4,5-trichlorocatechol and 3,4,5,6-tetrachlorocatechol measured in the highest concentrations. Samples collected under winter low flow conditions consistently had higher concentrations of chlorophenolics than samples collected under fall flow conditions. This is likely the result of a decrease in both the river flow and the background suspended sediment concentration during the winter low flow period. © 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd and AEHMS. All rights reserved.

Keywords: Continuous flow centrifuge; Catechol; Guaiacols; Flow