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not selective enough for sediment and biota samples because of the higher matrix 
underground of these marine matrices. Therefore, a GC-NCI-MS method with a 
derivatisation step was developed. This method had a good sensitivity and, in principle, 
was also suitable for water samples. However, due to lack of time and technical 
problems the procedure could not be applied to environmental samples within this 
project. For the same reason, validation of the method had not been completed with all 
matrices by the end of the project. 
6.4.5.1 Water 
Pentachlorophenol was determined in sea water samples from the North Sea and Baltic 
Sea which had been collected during 4 cruises in 2003 to 2004. 
Pentachlorophenol was detected in the river Elbe and at some coastal stations in the 
German Bight. At most stations in the open North Sea and Baltic Sea it was below the 
LOQ of 0.2 ng/L. The river Elbe clearly continues to be an input source for PCP, at 
concentrations ranging from 0.86 to 1.4 ng/L. 
In 2004, some samples were taken in the Greenland Sea in order to investigate possible 
long range transports and determine background concentrations. No PCP above the 
LOD was detected in these samples. 
In the western Baltic Sea, samples were taken in 2004 but the analysis could not be 
completed in the course of the project. 
6.4.5.2 Sediment and Biota 
The planned analysis of sediment and biota samples could not be completed due to 
technical problems with the microwave extractor, the GPC pre-separation, and time 
constraints. In a preliminary test analysis, no PCP was detected. 
6.4.5.3 Discussion 
Current PCP levels in the German Bight are far below those of 1988, which ranged from 
0.1 to 6.4 ng/L (Huhnerfuss et al. 1990). Low levels (0.1 ng/L) were observed in the