A comparison of European and North American atmospheric deposition networks: polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and lindane.
A comparison between the sampling and analytical methods used by Canadian (IADN) and German (OSPAR) regional monitoring networks for persistent organic pollutants was conducted from September 2002 to October 2003 at a rural site in Ontario, Canada. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and the currently-used pesticide lindane were measured in precipitation and ambient air samples. Overall the two networks sampling and analytical methods agreed well in their results of deposition (wet and dry particulate). Lindane concentrations between the two networks agreed well in the air samples while too few precipitation samples could be compared to conclude on agreement. The lindane seasonal profile with a peak in spring-early summer was consistent with previous results pointing to the continued use of this pesticide in 2002-2003 in Canada. Annual lindane wet depositions were comparable between the two network methodologies. PAHs concentrations in precipitation and in gas phase agreed well while there was a discrepancy for particulate PAHs in air. This study confirmed that the use of data from the two regional POPs monitoring networks for hemispherical modelling studies is warranted.
Blanchard
Pierrette
P
Science and Technology Branch, Environment Canada, Toronto, Canada M3H 5T4. pierrette.blanchard@ec.gc.ca
Kallweit
Dagmar
D
Brice
Kenneth A
KA
Froude
Frank A
FA
Chan
C H
CH
Neilson
Melanie
M
Holz
Jeanette
J
Millat
Helga
H
D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D001556:Hexachlorocyclohexane / Q000032:analysis*; D011083:Polycyclic Compounds / Q000032:analysis*; D012015:Reference Standards; D015203:Reproducibility of Results
D000393:Air Pollutants; D011083:Polycyclic Compounds; D001556:Hexachlorocyclohexane