Abstract
The atmospheric fallout of DDT and DDE (ΣDDT) over Sweden has decreased during the last decade. Today long-range transport from southern sources outside the country dominates the inflow. This was reflected in a decreasing south-to-north gradient of the compounds in atmospheric deposition and in the lower atomosphere. The fallout of PCBs was similar in 1984–1985 and 1972–1973, and today local contamination by combustion is more prominent than it was 10 years ago, even though PCB restrictions have been in force during the interim. Since PCB deposition is higher in the coastal areas than in the inland regions, other sources, such as volatilization from the seas and long-range transport also contribute to PCBs in fallout. The levels of PCB and ΣDDT in the lower atmosphere were positively correlated with temperature. Consequently, the compounds tended to be in the gas phase during the warmer summer period whereas during winter they were more liable to be adsorbed to particles, partition to airborne water and contribute in fallout. From each sampling station a chromatographic ‘fingerprint’ of pollutants in airborne fallout and in the lower atmosphere was obtained. The fingerprint was the combined result of the station's location and climate. The results show that considerable amounts of chlorinated pollutants are being transported to and within Sweden via the atmosphere.
Published Version
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