Long-term atmospheric deposition of current-use and banned pesticides in Atlantic Canada; 1980–2000

Abstract

The occurrence of current-use and banned pesticides is reported in wet-precipitation collected from four sites across Atlantic Canada during the period 1980–2000. The most frequently detected compounds were α-HCH, γ-HCH (lindane), chlorothalonil, pentachlorophenol, atrazine, and endosulfan. Median site concentrations varied between not-detected and 10.2 ng l −1. Deposition of HCHs (hexachlorocyclohexane), chlorothalonil, and endosulfan at Kejimkujik (Keji) and Jackson, Nova Scotia, were generally similar. Significant spatial differences ( p < 0.05), however, were found for the HCH isomers and endosulfan at Keji and Gros Morne (Newfoundland and Labrador), areas geographically separated by the northern Gulf of St. Lawrence. Long-term deposition of α-HCH decreased ( p < 0.05) at both Keji (1980–2000) and Gros Morne (1994–2000), with half-lives of 5.9 and 4.5 y, respectively. A decreasing trend was also found for pentachlorophenol with a half-life of 4.9 y at Jackson. Significant negative trends ( p < 0.05) were observed for α-/γ-HCH ratios during the study at Keji and Jackson, possibly reflecting changes in production and use patterns of technical HCH and lindane on a continental and perhaps hemispheric scale. Seasonal trends for α-HCH and γ-HCH were found to vary over the 20-y study period at Keji, however, spatial trends were generally similar between sites. Seasonal trends were observed with peak deposition generally occurring during the growing period (spring-summer) for the HCHs, chlorothalonil, endosulfan, and atrazine. Bimodal seasonal trends were also observed for these compounds with the exception of endosulfan.