| Summary: | Maintenance and Update Frequency: notPlanned Statement: Statement: Trace metal extraction and analysis:Sediments were digested using the method described in:Kwiecien W (1990) Silicate Rock Analysis by AAS. School of Geology, Queensland University Technology, Brisbane.Clam and sponge samples were digested using the method described in:Thompson M, Walsh JN (1989) Handbook of Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectrometry. Blackie & Son Ltd, London, pp. 155-156.A Varian Liberty 220 inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometer (ICP-AES) was used for metal analyses.The method for analysis of Hg followed:Adair BM, Cobb GP (1999) Improved preparation of small biological samples for mercury analysis using cold vapour atomic absorption spectroscopy. Chemosphere 38, 2951-2958.Recoveries for each batch of samples were assessed against certified reference materials from the National Research Council of Canada (DOLT 1 and 2976 Mussel Tissue for bivalves and sponges and MESS-2 for sediments) and fell within the certified range for all elements analysed.Hydrocarbon, PCB and PAH extraction and analysis:The samples were extracted by a NATA accredited laboratory (ALS Environmental, Sydney). Extracts underwent GPC (USEPA Method 3640) and florisil (USEPA Method 3620) cleanups and analysis for PCBs by gas chromatography-electron capture detection (GC-ECD) (USEPA Method 8081/8082). The detection limit for total PCBs reported by ALS Environmental was 5 mg/kg dry weight.The instrument used for ultraviolet fluorescence analysis was calibrated against a light Arabian crude oil standard. Gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy detection (GC-MS) was performed using an Agilent 6890 GC/5973 MSD system, with pulsed pressure splitless injection into an HP-5MS capillary column (30 m, 0.25 mm, 0.5 mm).The method for determination of n-alkanes and total hydrocarbons (THC) was based on GC-MS-selected ion monitoring (SIM), targeting ions m/z = 57, 71, 83 and 85. Alkanes were quantified using external standards over the range of n-dodecane ...
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