In the early 1990s polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin (PCDD) and dibenzofuran (PCDF) contamination of fish was widely associated with bleached kraft pulp mills. Regulations were put into place in Canada and elsewhere to reduce or eliminate the presence of these chemicals in pulp mill effluents. The industry quickly introduced treatment and process changes such as elemental (ECF) and total chlorine free (TCF) bleaching, which resulted in dramatically reduced PCDD/F concentrations in pulp mill effluents. However, PCDD/Fs may remain a concern for the receiving environment near bleached kraft pulp mills due to their tendency to persist in sediments and bioaccumulate in aquatic biota. Several studies conducted in the early 1990s reported significantly elevated levels of PCDD/Fs in white sucker (Catostomus commersoni) exposed to bleached kraft mill effluent (BKME). Particularly high concentrations were observed in the receiving environment of two mills in northern Ontario. The first mill, located in the town of Terrace Bay, discharges effluent into Jackfish Bay, Lake Superior. The second mill is located in Smooth Rock Falls, Ontario and discharges effluent into the Mattagami River where effects have been observed in fish collected downstream of the pulp mill. Over time, both mills have undergone a number of process upgrades, including a transition to 100% chlorine dioxide (ClO2) substitution. In 2006 the Tembec Smooth Rock Falls Pulp and Paper Mill closed permanently, while the mill in Terrace Bay has gone through a number of temporary shutdowns and is currently in the process of transitioning to a dissolving pulp process. Temporal changes in PCDD/F contamination was examined in white sucker historically exposed to BKME in Jackfish Bay and the Mattagami River, following mill process changes and closures. Historical data was summarized from studies conducted in the 1990s and analyzed along with liver tissue of male white sucker collected from each location in 2011 and 2012. The body burden of each fish was analysed using Toxic Equivalency (TEQ) calculations to account for concentration and relative toxicity of 2,3,7,8??? substituted PCDD/F congeners. At Jackfish Bay, concentrations of PCDD/Fs in surface sediment and dated sediment cores were used to document the spatial and temporal pattern of PCDD/F contamination in relation to historical process upgrades and operational changes at the mill. PCDD/Fs measured in white sucker liver samples collected from Jackfish Bay during gonadal recrudescence in the fall illustrate a decrease in mean TEQ from 74.2 ?? 20.9 pg???g-1 in 1991 to 3.34 ?? 2.05 pg???g-1 in 2012. These values were slightly elevated compared to the remote reference location at Mountain Bay, Lake Superior, which exhibited a mean TEQ of 1.88 ?? 0.45 pg???g-1 and 1.06 ?? 0.69 pg???g-1 in white sucker collected in fall 2011 and 2012, respectively. Although below consumption guidelines, trace levels of PCDD/Fs persist in fish collected from Jackfish Bay and these concentrations are suspected to reflect sediment contamination in Moberly Bay (part of Jackfish Bay). A unique PCDD/F contaminant profile, dominated by 2,3,7,8??? tetrachlorodibenzo???p???dioxin (TCDD) and dibenzofuran (TCDF), was observed in white sucker and sediment collected from Jackfish Bay. Analysis of surface sediment collected throughout Jackfish Bay revealed elevated PCDD/F concentrations, compared to reference areas in Lake Superior. TEQ values measured in surface sediment from the depositional areas of Moberly Bay exceeded the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) guidelines. In 1991 PCDD/F contamination, reported as mean TEQ, of white sucker collected downstream of the pulp mill outfall in Smooth Rock Falls reached levels of 111 ?? 86.2 pg???g-1. At the time, the mill utilized molecular chlorine (Cl2) in the bleaching sequence and employed primary effluent treatment. A dramatic decline was observed in PCDD/F concentrations of fish collected in 1993 and 1995, corresponding to implementation of 100% ClO2 substitution in the bleaching process. PCDD/F contamination in white sucker collected from the Mattagami River in 2011 and 2012 were similar upstream (0.53???1.49 pg TEQ???g-1) and downstream (0.75???2.87 pg TEQ???g-1) of the historical pulp mill outfall at Smooth Rock Falls, suggesting a return to background condition following the 2006 mill closure. Levels of 2,3,7,8???TCDD and 2,3,7,8???TCDF in liver tissue of fish collected downstream declined drastically compared to concentrations measured in 1991. The PCDD/F congener profile observed in white sucker downstream in 2011 and 2012 was more similar to fish collected from the reference site upstream than exposed fish collected in 1991. No sediment depositional areas suitable for taking a core sample were found on the river downstream of Smooth Rock Falls due to the nature of the system. This study supports the conclusion that particulate (POM) and dissolved organic matter (DOM) from continuous inputs of effluent were likely the primary source of PCDD/Fs to fish in these receiving environments, with only a small contribution from surface sediment. Results indicate a decreasing trend in PCDD/F contamination of white sucker historically exposed to bleached kraft pulp mill effluent in the receiving environments of Jackfish Bay and the Mattagami River, consistent with mill process upgrades to eliminate the use of elemental chlorine from the bleaching sequence. Current levels of PCDD/Fs measured in white sucker collected from these locations suggest a return to background condition.

<p>Abstract.</p><p>The levels of dioxin and comparable substances rose to a large extent in our environment during the second half of the 20'Th century. This was the result of the synthesis of, and careless usage of these substances in cooling fluids, hydraulics, pesticides etc. </p><p>Background levels of dioxins and furans in sealed samples prior to this era suggest that former sources of these substances existed. </p><p>Salt glazing is a method of adding a smooth acid resistant exterior to stoneware ceramics. The technique has been in use since the 16'Th century, maybe even earlier than that. Some sources date the origin of the technique to the 13'Th century. Salt glazed ceramics were the prime type of industrial vessels and it was extensively used for food preservation in households from the 17'Th century to the early/mid 20'Th century. </p><p>The method was/is primarily used by Germany, Great Britain, America and Sweden.</p><p>Salt glazing is a source of graphite structures from soot, and of chlorine gas. Hence, the formation of organochlorides should be able to occur.</p><p>The reports main objective is to highlight the question; “Could the salt glazing industry be one of the sources to early dioxin emissions?” Secondary objectives are to present an introduction to dioxin and comparable substances, methods of analysis and symptoms of exposure. </p><p>The salt glazing industry is much likely one of the anthropogenic sources of early PCDD/F emissions. Though emission levels seem to be quite low, due to the persistence of PCDD/F noticeable levels could have accumulated. When the Leblanc soda process (a known source of PCDD/F) was introduced in 1791, the salt glazing process had already been used for nearly three hundred years.</p>

Abstract. The levels of dioxin and comparable substances rose to a large extent in our environment during the second half of the 20'Th century. This was the result of the synthesis of, and careless usage of these substances in cooling fluids, hydraulics, pesticides etc. Background levels of dioxins and furans in sealed samples prior to this era suggest that former sources of these substances existed. Salt glazing is a method of adding a smooth acid resistant exterior to stoneware ceramics. The technique has been in use since the 16'Th century, maybe even earlier than that. Some sources date the origin of the technique to the 13'Th century. Salt glazed ceramics were the prime type of industrial vessels and it was extensively used for food preservation in households from the 17'Th century to the early/mid 20'Th century. The method was/is primarily used by Germany, Great Britain, America and Sweden. Salt glazing is a source of graphite structures from soot, and of chlorine gas. Hence, the formation of organochlorides should be able to occur. The reports main objective is to highlight the question; “Could the salt glazing industry be one of the sources to early dioxin emissions?” Secondary objectives are to present an introduction to dioxin and comparable substances, methods of analysis and symptoms of exposure. The salt glazing industry is much likely one of the anthropogenic sources of early PCDD/F emissions. Though emission levels seem to be quite low, due to the persistence of PCDD/F noticeable levels could have accumulated. When the Leblanc soda process (a known source of PCDD/F) was introduced in 1791, the salt glazing process had already been used for nearly three hundred years.

The Diploma’s work deals with design to use new methods of cleaning the combustion products for the incinerator of biomass, which guarantees removal of dioxins from the combustion products. Thesis depicts methods of cleaning the combustion products, like ADIOX, using ceramic filters, catalytically filters and methods REMEDIA. Thesis compares constituent methods in terms of effectiveness and according to economic analysis applicable to incinerator of biomass-power output 1 MW. Thesis acquaints with the conception of biomass and with thermic processing, which produces dioxins. Thesis processes using biomass in Czech Republic and plan for using in the future. Thesis processes detailed model of filter using the fabric filters REMEDIA. Suggestion of position of the filter and it is connection to original products line of cleaning the combustion products. Increased pressure loss of the new pipework way and increased consumption of ventilator incinerator is calculated for the new connection. In quest of decreasing the thermal loss of combustion products and in quest of increasing safety of operation is calculated and in quest of increasing safety of operation is calculated proposal of isolation for the filter and pipework. In the end of the thesis is depicted using the technology for decreased amount of dioxins from the fly ash from dioxin filter.

Detta examensarbete syftade till att ta fram ett underlag för en regional åtgärdsplan avseende dibenso-p-dioxiner och dibensofuraner, gemensamt benämnda som PCDD/F eller dioxiner, i Gävleborgs län. Länet har historiskt varit ett av de mest utsatta områdena i Sverige beträffande dessa föroreningar och höga koncentrationer i bland annat strömming har medfört att denna inte får saluföras i övriga EU.   I arbetet har resultaten från den rådande forskningen på området studerats för att få kunskap om nuvarande källor och möjliga förklaringar till de fortsatt förhöjda koncentrationerna av dioxiner. Därefter har data från tidigare undersökningar av dioxinkoncentrationer i Gävleborgs län samlats in, sammanställts och använts för att studera hur koncentrationerna varierar geografiskt inom länet. Principalkomponentanalys (PCA) av specifika dioxinkongeners koncentrationer har sedan använts för att försöka identifiera verksamhetstyper som potentiellt kan ha bidragit till föroreningarna på olika platser - en analys som dock är behäftad med stora osäkerheter. De insamlade provresultaten har även använts för att genom massbalansmodellering undersöka återhämtningen i två känt förorenade fjärdar i länet; Norrsundet och Gårdsfjärden. Utifrån resultaten av ovanstående analyser diskuterades även nyttan av att genomföra eventuella åtgärder för att reducera halterna i kraftigt förorenade områden.   Proverna som sammanställts visade klara geografiska skillnader i sedimentkoncentration, och till viss del även i koncentration i muskel från abborre, vilket visar på en stark betydelse av lokala källor i vissa områden. Bland strömmingsproverna kunde inget liknande samband ses. Detta kan förklaras av att det migrerande beteendet hos strömming gör att fisken under sin livstid exponeras för varierande föroreningsnivåer i olika områden, medan abborren är mer stationär även som vuxen. Principalkomponentanalysen gav, för vissa prover, indikationer kring vilken typ av verksamhet som bidragit till de uppmätta koncentrationerna. Dessa resultat är dock mycket osäkra och bör inte på egen hand användas som underlag för att fastställa föroreningskällor. Massbalansmodelleringen visade att PCDD/F-koncentrationen i sediment inte har någon betydelse för koncentrationen i vattenmassan utan att inflödet från omgivande hav dominerar även i avgränsade fjärdar. De modellerade jämviktskoncentrationerna mellan sediment och vattenmassa indikerade även att koncentrationerna i sediment kommer fortsätta överskrida somliga gränsvärden tills koncentrationen i vattenmassan reducerats, vilket även stöds av att dessa gränsvärden överskreds i majoriteten av de sammanställda proverna.   Baserat på samtliga ovannämnda resultat drogs slutsatsen att lokala saneringsåtgärder sannolikt inte ger någon effekt på PCDD/F-koncentrationerna i strömming, samt att de inte är tillräckliga för att erhålla sedimentkoncentrationer under samtliga gränsvärden. De kan däremot effektivt minska den exponering som mer stationära organismer som abborre utsätts för i områden med kraftigt förorenade sediment, och kan även ha positiva effekter på förekomsten av andra miljöfarliga ämnen i området. För- och nackdelar måste således övervägas i varje enskilt fall. / The aim of this Master’s Thesis was to provide a basis for a regional plan of action regarding dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans, commonly referred to as PCDD/F or dioxins, in Gävle-borg County. This region has historically been one of the Swedish areas most affected by these pollutants, and high concentrations in for example Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus) have resulted in restrictions where some fish species cannot be sold in other EU countries.   In this work, results of current research on the subject were studied in order to gain knowledge about current sources and possible explanations to the continued high concentrations of dioxins. Thereafter, data from earlier investigations of dioxin levels in Gävleborg County have been gathered, compiled and used to study the regional geographic variation of the concentrations. Principal component analysis (PCA) was then used on the concentrations of specific congeners in an attempt to identify source types that might have contributed to the contamination in various sites; this analysis is however marred by uncertainties. The gathered data have also been used to investigate the recovery in two bays with known contaminations, Norrsundet and Gårdsfjärden, using mass balance modelling. The benefits of implementing measures to reduce the PCDD/F-concentrations in highly polluted areas were then discussed based on the results of the above-mentioned analyses.   The measured sediment concentrations, and partly also the concentrations in European perch (Perca fluviatilis), of the compiled samples showed distinct geographic differences, which indicates a strong influence from local sources in some areas. Among the herring samples, no such connection could be seen. This could be explained by the migrating behaviour of adult herring, resulting in an exposure to various levels of contamination in different areas as they migrate, while adult perch has a more stationary behaviour. For some samples, the principal component analysis gave indications on source types that might have contributed to the local contamination levels. These results are however very uncertain and they should not be used as the sole basis when determining emission sources. The mass balance modelling showed that the PCDD/F-concentrations in sediments have no influence on the concentrations in the water body; the inflow from the surrounding sea is predominant also in enclosed bays. The modelled equilibrium concentrations between sediments and water body also indicated that the sediment concentrations will continue to exceed the guideline values until the water concentrations have decreased. This is also supported by the fact that the majority of the samples showed concentrations exceeding these guideline values.   Based on all of the abovementioned results it was concluded that local remediation measures would most likely not affect the PCDD/F-concentrations in herring. It was also concluded that such measures would not suffice to obtain sediment concentrations that fall below all guideline values. They can however be used to lessen the exposure that stationary organisms are subjected to in areas with highly contaminated sediments, and can also have positive effects on the levels of other hazardous substances in the area. Thus, the benefits and disadvantages need to be considered in each specific case.

<p>Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDD) and polychlorinated dibenzo-furans (PCDFs) belong to the most toxic compounds known to science and they are defined as Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) under the Stock-holm Convention. The general human exposure to PCDD/Fs is primarily through dietary intake. The importance of contaminated sites as secondary PCDD/F sources (i.e. sources that once received its contamination from a primary source) are getting increased attention. To be able to assess the risks for human exposure at PCDD/F contaminated sites, the environmen-tal distribution of PCDD/Fs and the potential mobilization between dif-ferent environmental media (e.g. food chain transfer) must be known. The primary aim of the work presented in this thesis was to investigate human exposure pathways associated with PCDD/F contaminated sites by combining field measurements and modeling. Site specific field measurements were made at a PCDD/F contaminated site in Sweden and multimedia modeling scenarios were evaluated against site specific data and national reference data.</p><p>The results show that the congener distributions in exposure media affected by contaminated soil may differ significantly from the distribu-tions found in media from reference locations. Higher chlorinated PCDD/Fs may be transferred into food chains where they contribute to a large fraction of the toxic equivalent concentration (TEQ). Ingestion of locally produced animal food may be an important exposure pathway al-ready at low or moderate PCDD/F soil concentrations. However, the con-gener composition of the source is critical for the exposure. The signifi-cance of the individual exposure routes varies depending on e.g. the spatial distribution and magnitude of the soil contamination, the pro-perties of the exposure media and the human behavior. Multimedia mo-deling can be used in risk assessments as long as model algorithms and model parameters are representative for the superhydrophobic properties of PCDD/Fs. However, selection of physical-chemical PCDD/F properties is a challenge due to large variation in reported values. For some proper-ties, data is scattered or completely lacking</p>

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDD) and polychlorinated dibenzo-furans (PCDFs) belong to the most toxic compounds known to science and they are defined as Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) under the Stock-holm Convention. The general human exposure to PCDD/Fs is primarily through dietary intake. The importance of contaminated sites as secondary PCDD/F sources (i.e. sources that once received its contamination from a primary source) are getting increased attention. To be able to assess the risks for human exposure at PCDD/F contaminated sites, the environmen-tal distribution of PCDD/Fs and the potential mobilization between dif-ferent environmental media (e.g. food chain transfer) must be known. The primary aim of the work presented in this thesis was to investigate human exposure pathways associated with PCDD/F contaminated sites by combining field measurements and modeling. Site specific field measurements were made at a PCDD/F contaminated site in Sweden and multimedia modeling scenarios were evaluated against site specific data and national reference data. The results show that the congener distributions in exposure media affected by contaminated soil may differ significantly from the distribu-tions found in media from reference locations. Higher chlorinated PCDD/Fs may be transferred into food chains where they contribute to a large fraction of the toxic equivalent concentration (TEQ). Ingestion of locally produced animal food may be an important exposure pathway al-ready at low or moderate PCDD/F soil concentrations. However, the con-gener composition of the source is critical for the exposure. The signifi-cance of the individual exposure routes varies depending on e.g. the spatial distribution and magnitude of the soil contamination, the pro-perties of the exposure media and the human behavior. Multimedia mo-deling can be used in risk assessments as long as model algorithms and model parameters are representative for the superhydrophobic properties of PCDD/Fs. However, selection of physical-chemical PCDD/F properties is a challenge due to large variation in reported values. For some proper-ties, data is scattered or completely lacking

Abstract In Finland there is a food monitoring program which has found elevated dioxin and polychlorinated biphenyl concentrations in the muscle of semi-domesticated reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) calves. This led to further research on the concentrations of persistent organic pollutants in reindeer muscle, liver, and other internal organs. The research was further expanded on wild moose (Alces alces) muscle and liver. The main objective of this thesis is to increase knowledge of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin (PCDD), polychlorinated dibenzofuran (PCDF), polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB), and polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) pollution levels in the Finnish terrestrial environment, and in semi-domesticated reindeer and wild moose in particular. The research gives information of exposure conditions in the reindeer’s food chain, as well as species differences and individual variation in accumulation and distribution of pollutants in reindeer and moose. Local differences between the contaminant concentrations were explored. Toxic equivalencies (TEQs) set by the World Health Organization (WHO) of PCDD/Fs and PCBs were calculated in order to assess the validity of selling reindeer and moose tissue. It was observed that there is a species-, individual-, and tissue-specific accumulation of dioxins, dioxin-like PCB, and PBDE compounds in reindeer and moose. Varying exposure conditions mainly explain the differences, although taking into account the age of an individual animal, its metabolic patterns have a role, too. Reindeer placenta and milk proved to be important factors in the transporting of compounds from hind to calf. The highest PCDD/F and PCB concentrations (as WHO-TEQs) were observed in reindeer calves in the study area in which animals are fed in natural pastures only. Despite the findings, it was concluded that it is safe to eat reindeer and moose meat since the concentrations of dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs in the muscle are relatively low, and because of the low fat content in these animals. Reindeer liver, for its part, had quite a lot of dioxin-like compounds that may compromise its safety as food, at least on a regular basis. The study shows that Finnish semi-domesticated reindeer and wild moose are good indicator species of POP contamination in a terrestrial environment, reindeer describing the situation in northern parts of the country especially. / Tiivistelmä Suomalaisessa ruokamonitorointitutkimuksessa löydettiin kohonneita dioksiinien ja polykloorattujen bifenyylien pitoisuuksia puolivillin poron vasojen lihaksista. Se johti lisätutkimuksiin pysyvien orgaanisten yhdisteiden pitoisuuksista poron lihaksessa, maksassa ja muissa sisäelimissä. Tutkimus laajeni koskemaan myös hirven (Alces alces) lihasta ja maksaa. Väitöskirjatyö lisää tietämystä polykloorattujen dibentso-p-dioksiinien (PCDD), polykloorattujen dibentsofuraanien (PCDF), polykloorattujen bifenyylien (PCB) ja polybromattujen difenyylieettereiden (PBDE) pitoisuuksista suomalaisessa maaympäristössä ja erityisesti porossa ja hirvessä. Tutkimus antaa tietoa yhdisteille altistumisesta sekä viitteitä lajien- ja yksilöiden välisistä eroavai¬suuksista yhdisteiden kertymisessä ja niiden jakaantumisessa eri kudosten välillä. Alueellista vaihtelua yhdisteiden pitoisuuksissa selvitettiin myös. Maailman terveysjärjestön (WHO) asettamia PCDD/F- ja PCB-yhdisteiden toksisuusekvivalenttiarvoja (TEQ) tarkasteltaessa pystyttiin arvioimaan kemiallista elintarvikekelpoisuutta suhteessa EU:n antamiin sallittuihin pitoisuuksiin. Työssä havaittiin laji-, yksilö-, ikä- ja kudosspesifistä dioksiinien, dioksiinienkaltaisten PCB- ja PBDE-yhdisteiden kerääntymistä porossa ja hirvessä. Tämä on todennäköisimmin seurausta vaihtelevasta altistumisesta yhdisteille, mutta myös lajien metabolisissa toiminnoissa yksilön eri ikäkausina voi olla eroavaisuuksia. Poron istukan ja maidon havaittiin olevan tärkeitä yhdisteiden kulkeutumisessa emolta sikiölle ja vasalle. Korkeimmat dioksiinien ja dioksiinien kaltaisten PCB-yhdisteiden konsentraatiot (WHO-TEQ-pitoisuuksina) havaittiin poron vasoilla tutkimusalueella, jossa eläimet olivat laiduntaneet ainoastaan luonnonlaitumilla. Huolimatta havaituista haitta-ainepitoisuuksista todettiin, että sekä luonnostaan vähärasvaisen poron että hirvenlihan syönti on turvallista suhteellisen alhaisten dioksiinien ja dioksiininkaltaisten PCB-yhdisteiden pitoisuuksien perusteella. Poron maksa puolestaan sisälsi melko korkeita dioksiinien kaltaisten yhdisteiden pitoisuuksia, mikä voi vaikuttaa sen turvalliseen käyttöön elintarvikkeena ainakin usein syötynä. Suomalainen puolivilli poro ja villi hirvi sopivat hyvin POP-kontaminoitumisen indikaattoreiksi maaympäristössä; poron erityisesti kuvaten tilannetta maan pohjoisosissa.

<p>Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) is a group of chemicals that are toxic, undergo long-range transport and accumulate in biota. Due to their persistency the distribution and recirculation in the environment often continues for a long period of time. Thereby they appear virtually everywhere within the biosphere, and poses a toxic stress to living organisms. In this thesis, attempts are made to contribute to the understanding of factors that influence the distribution of POPs with focus on processes in the marine environment. The bioavailability and the spatial distribution are central topics for the environmental risk management of POPs. In order to study these topics, various field studies were undertaken. To determine the bioavailable fraction of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) the aqueous dissolved phase were sampled and analysed. In the same samples, we also measured how much of these POPs were associated with suspended particles. Different models, which predicted the phase distribution of these POPs, were then evaluated. It was found that important water characteristics, which influenced the solid-water phase distribution of POPs, were particulate organic matter (POM), particulate soot (PSC), and dissolved organic matter (DOM). The bioavailable dissolved POP-phase in the water was lower when these sorbing phases were present. Furthermore, sediments were sampled and the spatial distribution of the POPs was examined. The results showed that the concentration of PCDD/Fs, and PCNs were better described using PSC- than using POM-content of the sediment. In parallel with these field studies, we synthesized knowledge of the processes affecting the distribution of POPs in a multimedia mass balance model. This model predicted concentrations of PCDD/Fs throughout our study area, the Grenlandsfjords in Norway, within factors of ten. This makes the model capable to validate the effect of suitable remedial actions in order to decrease the exposure of these POPs to biota in the Grenlandsfjords which was the aim of the project. Also, to evaluate the influence of eutrophication on the marine occurrence PCB data from the US Musselwatch and Benthic Surveillance Programs are examined in this thesis. The dry weight based concentrations of PCB in bivalves were found to correlate positively to the organic matter content of nearby sediments, and organic matter based concentrations of PCB in sediments were negatively correlated to the organic matter content of the sediment.</p>

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) is a group of chemicals that are toxic, undergo long-range transport and accumulate in biota. Due to their persistency the distribution and recirculation in the environment often continues for a long period of time. Thereby they appear virtually everywhere within the biosphere, and poses a toxic stress to living organisms. In this thesis, attempts are made to contribute to the understanding of factors that influence the distribution of POPs with focus on processes in the marine environment. The bioavailability and the spatial distribution are central topics for the environmental risk management of POPs. In order to study these topics, various field studies were undertaken. To determine the bioavailable fraction of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) the aqueous dissolved phase were sampled and analysed. In the same samples, we also measured how much of these POPs were associated with suspended particles. Different models, which predicted the phase distribution of these POPs, were then evaluated. It was found that important water characteristics, which influenced the solid-water phase distribution of POPs, were particulate organic matter (POM), particulate soot (PSC), and dissolved organic matter (DOM). The bioavailable dissolved POP-phase in the water was lower when these sorbing phases were present. Furthermore, sediments were sampled and the spatial distribution of the POPs was examined. The results showed that the concentration of PCDD/Fs, and PCNs were better described using PSC- than using POM-content of the sediment. In parallel with these field studies, we synthesized knowledge of the processes affecting the distribution of POPs in a multimedia mass balance model. This model predicted concentrations of PCDD/Fs throughout our study area, the Grenlandsfjords in Norway, within factors of ten. This makes the model capable to validate the effect of suitable remedial actions in order to decrease the exposure of these POPs to biota in the Grenlandsfjords which was the aim of the project. Also, to evaluate the influence of eutrophication on the marine occurrence PCB data from the US Musselwatch and Benthic Surveillance Programs are examined in this thesis. The dry weight based concentrations of PCB in bivalves were found to correlate positively to the organic matter content of nearby sediments, and organic matter based concentrations of PCB in sediments were negatively correlated to the organic matter content of the sediment.