Organochlorine compounds in pine needles: Methods and trends

Abstract

AbstractDuring April 1989, needles from Scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris) trees were collected from a network of stations in West Germany, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. Samples from selected stations were analyzed for hexachlorobenzene (HCB), pen‐tachlorophenol (PCP), hexachlorocyclohexane isomers (α‐HCH and γ‐HCH [lindane]), DDT, and DDE. Accumulation of the investigated compounds was observed in up to four needle‐year classes. γ‐HCH decreased from south to north; the pattern for α‐HCH was uniform; DDT/DDE also decreased from south to north. HCB was uniform throughout the sample area, and PCP was high in northern Sweden. Interpretation of trends was not altered by expressing concentrations on a fresh‐ or dry‐weight basis or on a surface‐area basis. The range of concentration variation for equivalent samples was 2 to 49% relative standard deviation; averages were 20 to 23%. There were no differences among trees facing the same open direction; among different directions, trees open to the south collected more DDT, but this was not the case with other substances. There were no differences between trees of different ages. Samples at 4 to 5 m had lower contaminant levels than from 1.5 m.