The surveys were taken at fixed stations within 5km of the coast of the Maltese Islands.

Organometallic and organometalloid species concentration parameters in sediments; Pesticide concentrations in sediment; Concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in sediment samples; Concentration of other organic contaminants in sediment samples

Sediment grabs; gas chromatographs; inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometers; gas chromatograph mass spectrometers

The survey was conducted at 16 stations in the coastal waters of the Maltese Islands. The pollutant levels were measured during a pilot survey, between 29th May and 6th June 2012, and then once (in two replicates) over the period between 1st and 22nd August 2012. During the surveys, sediment was collected using a Van Veen grab sampler on a work boat equipped with a crane and winch. The collected sediment was photographed and immediately sampled by extracting appropriate aliquots, depending on the analytes for which it will be tested. Each aliquot was labelled, placed in a cool box and refrigerated until it was shipped to a laboratory for analysis using US Environmental Protection Agency standard procedures. The pollutants tested for are considered the most significant for the establishment of environmental quality standards, namely the most important metals, hydrocarbons, PAHs and the main persistent organic compounds that can cause bioaccumulation and enter the food chain, including pesticides and herbicides.

Environment and Resources Authority
Hexagon House
Marsa

MRS 1441
Malta