Atmospheric distribution of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), and non-ortho biphenyls (PCBs) along a North-South Atlantic transect.
Air samples were taken on board the RRS Bransfield (typically for 24-72 h), during an Atlantic cruise from the U.K. to Antarctica in October-December 1998, to investigate the global scale distribution of PCDD/Fs and coplanar PCBs. Highest concentrations of Cl2-8DD/Fs all occurred between 25 and 52 degrees N; lowest concentrations were measured around approximately 60 degrees S and further south. Cl3DFs showed highest overall concentrations (up to 9800 fg/m3), followed by Cl2DFs (up to 5300 fg/m3) and OCDD (up to 1300 fg/m3). Lowest concentrations, measured in the remote Southern hemisphere, were generally 2 orders of magnitude lower than their highest concentrations over the North Atlantic. Concentrations of PCB-77 were higher in the northern hemisphere, while PCB-126 and PCB-169 exhibited highest concentrations around the equator. Evidence was obtained for substantial emissions of PCDD/Fs off west Africa and while in the port of Montevideo, Uruguay. Shifts in PCDD/F profile distribution were observed on increasing distance from source regions, such that those from the most remote locations were dominated by Cl3DF (approximately 40% of the total) and OCDD (approximately 20%). Gas-particle partition data was obtained for all samples. Cl4-6DD/Fs showed the widest range, varying between 10 and 90% of the total in the gas phase, depending on location/ temperature. The study gave limited evidence for the influence of OH-radical initiated depletion reactions of gaseous PCDD/Fs. The global atmospheric burden is estimated to be on the order of 350 kg sigmaCl4-8DD/Fs and approximately 3 kg sigmaTEQ.
Lohmann
R
R
Department of Environmental Science, Institute of Environmental and Natural Sciences, Lancaster University, UK.
Ockenden
W A
WA
Shears
J
J
Jones
K C
KC
D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D001267:Atlantic Ocean; D001572:Benzofurans / Q000032:analysis*; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D005740:Gases; D010316:Particle Size; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000032:analysis*; D000072317:Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000032:analysis*; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*
D000393:Air Pollutants; D001572:Benzofurans; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D005740:Gases; D000072317:Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins; D012989:Soil Pollutants; C023614:dibenzofuran; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls