Comparison of the efficiencies of different types of adsorbents at trapping currently used pesticides in the gaseous phase using the technique of high-volume sampling.
Atmospheric samples were collected in an urban area (Strasbourg centre) in spring/summer 2004, in order to determine the concentrations of different pesticides in the gaseous and particulate phases and to compare the efficiencies of different adsorbents at trapping the gaseous phase. Two high-volume samplers were placed next to each other in the botanical garden in the centre of Strasbourg. Air sampling was carried out using a glass fibre filter and different adsorbents for 48 hrs. The following adsorbents and combinations of adsorbents were compared: XAD-2 with PUF, XAD4 with PUF, XAD-2 with a PUF-XAD2-PUF sandwich, PUF with a PUF-XAD4-PUF sandwich. In order of efficiency at trapping pesticides, the "sandwiches" are the most efficient, followed by XAD-2 and XAD-4 resins. However, although the "sandwiches" are slightly better at trapping than XAD-2, the use of XAD-2 is recommended for technical reasons. The PUFs are the least efficient at trapping. Among the 27 pesticides analysed, trifluralin, alachlor, metolachlor and captan were the most concentrated pesticides, followed by lindane, alpha-endosulfan and diflufenican. This result is in accordance with farming activity in the Alsace region, where the pesticides that are used on large crops (maize, cereals) are applied in the greatest quantities. Vineyards are another important form of agriculture in Alsace, but the quantities of pesticides applied in comparison to those used on large crops is very low, which explains the low detection of vineyard pesticides in air samples observed here. The concentrations are depend on the identities and properties of the pesticides analysed, but on the whole they remain rather low. It is important to perform measurements like these in the urban environment, as these compounds can be harmful to human health and the environment and so their concentrations need to be monitored.
Dobson
Rowan
R
Laboratoire de Physico-Chimie de l'Atmosphère, Centre de Géochimie de la Surface, UMR 7517 CNRS-Université Louis Pasteur, 1, rue Blessig, 67084, Strasbourg Cedex, France.
Scheyer
Anne
A
Rizet
Anne Laure
AL
Mirabel
Philippe
P
Millet
Maurice
M
D000042:Absorption; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D010575:Pesticides / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D013997:Time Factors
D000393:Air Pollutants; D010575:Pesticides