107 
5.4.3 PCAs and chlordanes in sediments 
5.4.3.1 Origin and characterisation of samples 
Sediments were collected during the following monitoring expeditions: FS Gauss no. 
371 (August/September 2001), no. 387 (August/September 2002), no. 402 (May/June 
2003) as well as no. 419/421 (spring 2004). Table 33 gives an overview of all analysed 
sediment samples including their TOC content and the applied analytical methods. 
Moreover, sediments and suspended particulate matter were obtained from different 
institutions in order to increase the data base for comparison (see Table 34). These 
were: 
1. Laboratoire d'Etudes ed d'Analyses, Le Havre, France 
2. Behörde für Wirtschaft und Arbeit, Hamburg, Germany 
3. Landesanstalt für Umweltschutz, Karlsruhe, Germany 
4. Akva-plan niva, Tromsp, Norway, 
5. BSH, Hamburg, Germany. 
5.4.3.2 PCA concentrations 
Samples were analysed according to the following procedure: 
• All samples were first quantified by EI-MS/MS to obtain the total PCA content. 
• In addition, the sPCA and mPCA content was determined in those samples excee 
ding ca. 50 ng/g dw total PCA. Below this level the quantities were too low for this 
procedure based on single formula and congener groups. CH4/CH2CI2-NICI had to 
be used. ECNI on the HP mass spectrometer was not sensitive enough. 
• New mass spectrometric instrumentation (1200L, Varian, USA) with a significantly 
improved sensitivity allowed at the end of the project (2004) to determine single 
congener group profiles. Samples were re-analysed, if a sufficient amount still was