Sources and distribution of chlorobenzenes and hexachlorobutadiene in surficial sediments along the coast of Southwestern Taiwan

The spatial distribution of chlorobenzenes in surficial sediments of the estuaries of major rivers along the coast of southwestern Taiwan was determined. Analytical results from sediment sampling stations indicate that the three outfall fields near Taiwanʹs largest industrial city, Kaohsiung, exhibit the highest concentrations of chlorobenzenes. More specifically, sediments from Tso-yin outfall field, which receives the wastewater from a very large petrochemical complex, had concentrations of 1,3,5-trichlorobenzene, pentachlorobenzene, hexachlorobenzene and hexachlorobutadiene 2–3 times higher than those from Chon-chou and Da-lin-pu outfall fields. Chlorobenzene congeners in sediments from the three outfall fields correlate closely and most of their correlation coefficients are even higher than those reported for Ise Bay, Japan. Results from undeveloped areas, estuaries of the Da-du, Tso-shui, and Chi-shui Chi, will be of value after the impact of planned industrial expansion development begins.