Global pilot study for persistent organic pollutants (POPs) using PUF disk passive air samplers.
Polyurethane foam (PUF) disks were deployed at global background sites, to test logistical issues associated with a global monitoring network for persistent organic pollutants (POPs). alpha-HCH, exhibited relatively high and uniform concentrations (17-150 pg/m3) at temperate and arctic sites with elevated concentrations associated with trans-Pacific inflow. Concentrations were much lower (<5 pg/m3) in Bermuda, Chile and Cape Grim. Concentrations for gamma-HCH, the main component of lindane, were spatially similar to the alpha-HCH pattern but lower in magnitude (typically, <10 pg/m3). Chlordane concentrations (sum of cis-chlordane, trans-chlordane and trans-nonachlor) were also low (<10 pg/m3). Dieldrin concentrations were in the range 2-25 pg/m3 at most sites but elevated in Bermuda. Back trajectories suggest that advection from Africa and the US may contribute. Endosulfan, a popular current-use pesticide, exhibited highest concentrations ranging from tens to hundreds of pg/m3. There was good agreement between duplicate samplers at each site and PUF disk-derived air concentrations agreed with high volume data. Few logistical/analytical problems were encountered in this pilot study.
Harner
Tom
T
Science & Technology Branch, Environment Canada, 4905 Dufferin Street, Toronto, ON, M3H 5T4, Canada. tom.harner@ec.gc.ca
Pozo
Karla
K
Gouin
Todd
T
Macdonald
Anne-Marie
AM
Hung
Hayley
H
Cainey
Jill
J
Peters
Andrew
A
D000392:Air Movements; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D000397:Air Pollution / Q000032:analysis*; D002706:Chlordan / Q000032:analysis; D004026:Dieldrin / Q000032:analysis; D004726:Endosulfan / Q000032:analysis; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005843:Geography; D001556:Hexachlorocyclohexane / Q000032:analysis; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated / Q000032:analysis*; D010573:Pesticide Residues / Q000032:analysis*; D011140:Polyurethanes; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012621:Seasons
D000393:Air Pollutants; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; D010573:Pesticide Residues; D011140:Polyurethanes; D002706:Chlordan; D001556:Hexachlorocyclohexane; C028279:polyurethane foam; D004026:Dieldrin; D004726:Endosulfan