Abstract
The polymeric organic matter of the River Rhone and its fate in the deltaic zone were studied using Curie-point pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. This approach allowed differentiation between the allochthonous and autochthonous components of the suspended particles. Contamination of the waters, possibly originating from the industralized Gulf of Fos was evidenced in some surface-water pyrolysates. The suspended matter in the benthic nepheloid layer had a similar fingerprint to that observed in riverine suspensions. The abundance of poylsaccharide-derived compounds in the layer and in the river suggested that these molecules could be involved in flocculation processes when fresh and saline waters mix.