CONCENTRATIONS OF HEXACHLOROBENZENE, TRICHLOROBENZENES AND CHLOROFORM IN THE WATERS OF THE FORTH ESTUARY, SCOTLAND

Water samples from the Forth Estuary in Scotland have been collected and analysed for hexachlorobenzene, isomers of trichlorobenzene, and chloroform. The results are compared with those of earlier surveys carried out before implementation of the UK Government's plan for the reduction of discharges of 'Red-Listed' substances to the North Sea. It was found that environmental levels had been reduced by between one and two orders of magnitude since 1987, in line with reductions in inputs from a local discharge. In general the levels of all the chlorobenzenes were shown to decrease down the estuary although the situation was a little more complex in the case of HCB. The levels at all sampling stations were shown to be below the Environmental Quality Standards (EQSs) set or proposed by EC Directives.