title: Hexachlorocyclohexanes in the Canadian archipelago. 1. Spatial distribution and pathways of alpha-, beta- and gamma-HCHS in surface water.
abstract: Hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs) in the surface water of the Canadian Archipelago and south Beaufort Sea were measured in summer, 1999. Overall concentrations of HCH isomers were in order of abundance: alpha-HCH (3.5 +/- 1.2 ng L(-1)) > gamma-HCH (0.31 +/- 0.07 ng L(-1)) > beta-HCH (0.10 +/- 0.03 ng L(-1)). Concentrations and ratios of alpha-HCH/gamma-HCH decreased significantly (p < 0.001 to 0.003) from west to east, but there was no significant variation in alpha-HCH/ beta-HCH. The (+) enantiomer of alpha-HCH was preferentially degraded, with enantiomer fractions (EFs) ranging from 0.432-0.463 and increasing significantly (p < 0.001) from west to east. Concentrations also varied latitudinally for alpha-HCH and gamma-HCH (p < 0.002) but not for beta-HCH. Principal component analysis with variables alpha-HCH and gamma-HCH concentrations, EF, latitude, and longitude accounted for 71% (PC 1) and 16% (PC 2) of the variance. Mixing in the eastern Archipelago was modeled by assuming three end members with characteristic concentrations of alpha-HCH and gamma-HCH. The model accounted for the observed concentrations and higher EFs of alpha-HCH at the eastern stations.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Atmospheric Research Experiments, Science and Technology Branch, Environment Canada, 6248 Eighth Line, Egbert, Ontario LOL INO, Canada. terry.bidleman@ec.gc.ca
authors.forename: T F
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Bidleman
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kylin
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Jantunen
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Helm
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Macdonald
mesh_terms: D001267:Atlantic Ocean; D002170:Canada; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D001556:Hexachlorocyclohexane / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000737:chemistry*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D001556:Hexachlorocyclohexane