The Carcinogenic Load of the Environment: Benzo(a)Pyrene in Sediments of Arctic Waters

ABSTRACT. Baseline levels of the chemical carcinogen benzo(a)pyrene were measured in arctic sediments. Levels were highest in samples from the Mackenzie River delta and adjacent areas of the Beaufort Sea. The distribution of carcinogen did not correspond to the location of inhabited areas- a natural rather than a man-made source for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in arctic sediments is indicated. RESUME. Les niveaux minimum de benzo(a)pyrtnes “carcinogtnes”, etaient mesurCs chimiquement dans les sediments arctiques. Les plus hauts niveaux venaient d’8chantil-Ions en provenance du delta de fleuve Mackenzie et des parties adjacentes de la Mer de Beaufort. La repartition des “carcinogtnes ” ne correspondait pas a la position des regions habitkes; il y a une indication d’une source naturelle plut8t qu’artificielle pour les hydro-carbures aromatiques polycycliques dans les sediments arctiques. Traduit par Alain de Vendegies, Aquitaine Company of Canada Ltd