Abstract:

We collected 4 sediment cores in Chukchi Sea shelf during the 6th Chinese Arctic Expedition in 2014, and then surveyed overall level of several low ring PAHs in sediment cores. We discussed the vertical distribution and historical sedimentation of the cores with the 210Pb age dating. The results showed that the concentrations of several individual PAHs in Chukchi Sea shelf sediments varied from 50 to 1 553 ng·g^–1, those low ring PAHs in sediments are generally at a low level and it is not related to the grain size obviously. The sediment rate in Chukchi Sea shelf sediments varied from 0.05 to 0.19 cm·a^–1. Concentrations of low ring PAHs varied slightly in sediment cores, human activities can hardly affect this area. Partial peaks in sediments may influenced by petroleum seep or diagenetic process.

Key words: PAHs, low ring, vertical profile, 210Pb, Chukchi Sea shelf