The effect of typhoons on POPs in atmospheric particulates over the coastal islands of Fujian, southeast China

Abstract

Atmospheric particulate samples were collected during three typhoons in 2006 (Chanchu, Bilis, and Kaemi) from Dongshan and Pingtan Islands along the coastal areas of Fujian Province and were analyzed for organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The observations were divided into three periods, namely, pre-typhoon, typhoon, and post-typhoon, to analyze the variations in POP concentrations. The results showed that the PCB and OCP concentrations had daily variations during the pre-typhoon period, while different variation trends were observed during the typhoon periods. The concentrations of those contaminants increased dramatically during typhoon Chanchu (the total concentrations of PCBs and OCPs increased 25 and 24 times, respectively), whereas those values decreased slightly during the typhoon Bilis and Kaemi. However, POPs levels all decreased noticeably during the three post-typhoon periods due to heavy rainfall caused by the typhoons. Observations of an ensemble of factors, including the typhoon migration routes, landfall season, air mass origins and meteorological conditions, and the typhoon migration route was the dominant factor to cause high levels of POPs during the typhoon Chanchu period. Toxicity assessment indicated that the effect of PCB and OCP during the typhoon period should be a concern, which could pose a high potential health risk to organisms.