Atmospheric Concentrations Of Polychlorinated Biphenyls Research Articles

Determination of the gas/particle phase concentrations of PCBs in urban and rural atmosphere in Erzurum, Turkey.

Active sampling was conducted for the first time in Erzurum, Turkey, between August 2012 and January 2013, in order to investigate the presence of 82 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) congeners. Urban and rural ambient air samples, including gas and particle phase atmospheric concentrations (GAPPACs) of PCBs, were collected simultaneously using high volume air sampler (HVAS) at two different sampling points of Erzurum. GAPPACs of PCB samples taken using HVAS in Palandöken Mountain Region (2565m) and Ataturk University Campus (1870m) were analyzed in GC-MS following appropriate extraction steps. Throughout the sampling period, total ambient air concentrations (gas phase + particulate phase) were 10 ± 6 and 27 ± 13pg/m3 (mean) for Palandöken Mountain Region (PMR) and Atatürk University Campus (AUC), respectively. Low molecular weighted PCBs were found to be dominant in both rural an urban sampling sites. Meteorological parameters especially temperature (from Clausius-Clapeyron equation), wind direction, wind velocity, and precipitation were found to be effective on PCB concentration and distribution. The gas-particle distributions of PCBs in the summer and winter period were found to be 82% (gas phase) and 18% (particle phase) in the PMR and 90% (gas phase) and 10% (particle phase) in AUC, through Junge-Pankow adsorption model. In the light of these findings, total PCB concentrations detected in urban atmosphere (due to possible PCB sources) were observed to be higher than those determined in rural area.

Relationships between Atmospheric Transport Regimes and PCB Concentrations in the Air at Zeppelin, Spitsbergen.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are persistent hazardous chemicals that are still detected in the atmosphere and other environmental media, although their production has been banned for several decades. At the long-term monitoring site, Zeppelin at Spitsbergen, different PCB congeners have been continuously measured for more than a decade. However, it is not clear what factors determine the seasonal and interannual variability of different (lighter versus heavier) PCB congeners. To investigate the influence of atmospheric transport patterns on PCB-28 and PCB-101 concentrations at Zeppelin, we applied the Lagrangian Particle Dispersion Model FLEXPART and calculated "footprints" that indicate the potential source regions of air arriving at Zeppelin. By means of a cluster analysis, we assigned groups of similar footprints to different transport regimes and analyzed the PCB concentrations according to the transport regimes. The concentrations of both PCB congeners are affected by the different transport regimes. For PCB-101, the origin of air masses from the European continent is primarily related to high concentrations; elevated PCB-101 concentrations in winter can be explained by the high frequency of this transport regime in winter, whereas PCB-101 concentrations are low when air is arriving from the oceans. For PCB-28, in contrast, concentrations are high during summer when air is mainly arriving from the oceans but low when air is arriving from the continents. The most likely explanation of this finding is that local emissions of PCB-28 mask the effect of long-range transport and determine the concentrations measured at Zeppelin.

Source Apportionment of Atmospheric Polychlorinated Biphenyls in New Jersey 1997-2011.

Concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the Delaware River currently exceed the Water Quality Criteria of 16 pg/L for the sum of PCBs due in part to atmospheric deposition. The purpose of this work was to use a source apportionment tool called Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) to identify the sources of PCBs to the atmosphere in this area and determine whether their concentrations are declining over time. The data set was compiled by the Delaware Atmospheric Deposition Network (DADN) from samples taken in Camden, NJ from 1999 to 2011 and New Brunswick, NJ from 1997 to 2011. The PMF analysis revealed four resolved factors at each site. The factors that dominate the PCB burden in the atmosphere at both Camden and New Brunswick resemble Aroclor 1242. These factors declined in concentration during some portions of the monitoring period, but this decline slowed or stopped during 2003-2011. None of the factors displayed consistent declines in concentration throughout the monitoring periods, and some factors actually increased in concentration during some periods. This suggests natural attenuation alone will not control atmospheric PCB concentrations, and additional efforts are needed to control PCB atmospheric emissions as well as the numerous other sources of PCBs to the estuary.

Factors influencing the atmospheric concentrations of PCBs at an abandoned e-waste recycling site in South China

The diurnal atmospheric concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were investigated at an abandoned e-waste recycling site in South China during winter and summer. Total PCB concentrations during winter and summer were 27.6–212 and 368–1704pg/m3 in the particulate phase and 270–697 and 3000–15,500pg/m3 in the gaseous phase, respectively. Both gaseous and particulate PCB concentrations and compositions exhibited significant difference between winter and summer samples, but no diurnal variations during the measurement period. The correlation analysis between PCB concentrations and meteorological conditions, including atmospheric temperature, humidity, and mixing layer height, suggested that the seasonal variability of atmospheric PCB concentrations was strongly temperature-dependent, while the diurnal variability was probably source-dependent. The temperature-driven variations can also be proved by the significant linear correlation between ln P and 1/T in the Clausius-Clapeyron plot. Although government has implemented controls to reduce e-waste pollution, both the relatively high concentrations of PCBs and the diurnal variation in the air suggested that emissions from occasional e-waste recycling activities may still exist in this recycling area. These results underline the importance of continuing e-waste recycling site management long after abandonment.

Assessing atmospheric concentration of polychlorinated biphenyls by evergreen Rhododendron maximum next to a contaminated stream.

Conifers are often used as an air passive sampler, but few studies have focused on the implication of broadleaf evergreens to monitor atmospheric semivolatile organic compounds such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). In the present study, the authors used Rhododendron maximum (rhododendron) growing next to a contaminated stream to assess atmospheric PCB concentrations. The present study area was located in a rural setting and approximately 2 km downstream of a former capacitor plant. Leaves from the same mature shrubs were collected in late fall 2010 and winter and spring 2011. Polychlorinated biphenyls were detected in the collected leaves, suggesting that rhododendron can be used as air passive samplers in rural areas where active sampling is impractical. Estimated ΣPCB (47 congeners) concentrations in the atmosphere decreased from fall 2010 to spring 2011 with concentration means at 3990 pg m(-3) , 2850 pg m(-3) , and 931 pg m(-3) in fall 2010, winter 2011, and spring 2011, respectively. These results indicate that the atmospheric concentrations at this location continue to be high despite termination of active discharge from the former industrial source. Leaves had a consistent pattern of high concentrations of tetra-CBs and penta-CBs similar to the congener distribution in polyethylene passive samplers deployed in the water column, suggesting that volatilized PCBs from the stream were the primary source of contaminants in rhododendron leaves. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:2192-2198. © 2016 SETAC.

PCBs in the Arctic atmosphere: determining important driving forces using a global atmospheric transport model

Abstract. We present a spatially and temporally resolved global atmospheric polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) model, driven by meteorological data, that is skilled at simulating mean atmospheric PCB concentrations and seasonal cycles in the Northern Hemisphere midlatitudes and mean Arctic concentrations. However, the model does not capture the observed Arctic summer maximum in atmospheric PCBs. We use the model to estimate global budgets for seven PCB congeners, and we demonstrate that congeners that deposit more readily show lower potential for long-range transport, consistent with a recently described "differential removal hypothesis" regarding the hemispheric transport of PCBs. Using sensitivity simulations to assess processes within, outside, or transport to the Arctic, we examine the influence of climate- and emissions-driven processes on Arctic concentrations and their effect on improving the simulated Arctic seasonal cycle. We find evidence that processes occurring outside the Arctic have a greater influence on Arctic atmospheric PCB levels than processes that occur within the Arctic. Our simulations suggest that re-emissions from sea ice melting or from the Arctic Ocean during summer would have to be unrealistically high in order to capture observed temporal trends of PCBs in the Arctic atmosphere. We conclude that midlatitude processes are likely to have a greater effect on the Arctic under global change scenarios than re-emissions within the Arctic.

Atmospheric concentrations and loadings of organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls in the Canadian Great Lakes Basin (GLB): Spatial and temporal analysis (1992–2012)

Long-term air monitoring data for POPs are required to determine the effectiveness of source reduction measures and factors controlling air concentrations. Air samples were collected between 1992 and 2012 at three sites with different geographical characteristics (Burnt Island, Egbert and Point Petre) in the Canadian Great Lakes Basin (GLB) using high-volume samplers and analyzed for organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Spatial and temporal trends of gas-phase concentrations of OCPs, selected PCB congeners and ƩPCBs (84 congeners) were assessed. Egbert had the highest concentrations of some OCPs due to historical [dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes (DDTs), dieldrin, γ-hexachlorocyclohexane (γ-HCH)] and current (endosulfan) applications of these pesticides in the surrounding agricultural cropland. This shows that agricultural areas are a source of OCPs to the GLB. High o,p'-/p,p'-DDT ratios were determined and an increasing trend was observed at Point Petre and Burnt Island up to 2004; indicating that the GLB is influenced by dicofol-type DDT sources, which have higher o,p’-/p,p’-DDT ratios than technical DDT. Atmospheric PCB concentrations at Egbert and Point Petre are higher than those measured at Burnt Island, likely due to urban influence and greater populations. Loadings calculations suggest that the atmosphere is a source of α-endosulfan and p,p’-DDT to the lakes and the opposite is true for p,p’-DDE. Long-term decreasing trends were observed for both OCPs and PCBs; consistent with control measures implemented in North America. Atmospheric PCB concentrations are decreasing relatively slowly, with halflives in the range of 9–39 years. Chlordane, α-endosulfan, β-endosulfan, dieldrin, and DDT-related substances showed halflives in the range of 7–13 years. α-HCH and γ-HCH were decreasing rapidly in air, with halflives of 5 years. Long-term declining trends of PCBs and OCPs suggest that regulatory efforts to reduce emissions to the GLB environment have been effective, but emissions from primary and secondary sources might limit future declines.

Gaseous and Freely-Dissolved PCBs in the Lower Great Lakes Based on Passive Sampling: Spatial Trends and Air-Water Exchange.

Polyethylene passive sampling was performed to quantify gaseous and freely dissolved polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the air and water of Lakes Erie and Ontario during 2011-2012. In view of differing physical characteristics and the impacts of historical contamination by PCBs within these lakes, spatial variation of PCB concentrations and air-water exchange across these lakes may be expected. Both lakes displayed statistically similar aqueous and atmospheric PCB concentrations. Total aqueous concentrations of 29 PCBs ranged from 1.5 pg L(-1) in the open lake of Lake Erie (site E02) in 2011 spring to 105 pg L(-1) in Niagara (site On05) in 2012 summer, while total atmospheric concentrations were 7.7-634 pg m(-3) across both lakes. A west-to-east gradient was observed for aqueous PCBs in Lake Erie. River discharge and localized influences (e.g., sediment resuspension and regional alongshore transport) likely dominated spatial trends of aqueous PCBs in both lakes. Air-water exchange fluxes of Σ7PCBs ranged from -2.4 (±1.9) ng m(-2) day(-1) (deposition) in Sheffield (site E03) to 9.0 (±3.1) ng m(-2) day(-1) (volatilization) in Niagara (site On05). Net volatilization of PCBs was the primary trend across most sites and periods. Almost half of variation in air-water exchange fluxes was attributed to the difference in aqueous concentrations of PCBs. Uncertainty analysis in fugacity ratios and mass fluxes in air-water exchange of PCBs indicated that PCBs have reached or approached equilibrium only at the eastern Lake Erie and along the Canadian shore of Lake Ontario sites, where air-water exchange fluxes dominated atmospheric concentrations.

Spatial Distribution of Atmospheric PCBs in Zurich, Switzerland: Do Joint Sealants Still Matter?

Passive air samplers were deployed at 23 sites across the city of Zurich, Switzerland to investigate the spatial distribution of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in air. Concentrations of the six indicator PCBs (iPCBs) in air ranged from 54 to 3160 pg·m(-3) in the two sampling campaigns (spring 2011 and spring 2013). Measurements at two sampling sites were significantly higher than the median in both years, because of the proximity to primary PCB sources. Concentrations at most other stations were in a narrow range, suggesting that atmospheric PCB concentrations in Zurich are mainly caused by a high number of rather small sources. A correlation of iPCB concentrations in air with the number of buildings constructed between 1955 and 1975 in the surrounding areas of the sampling sites was observed. This demonstrates that PCB-containing building materials, such as joint sealants, influence PCB levels in urban air. Additionally, atmospheric iPCB concentrations were measured in the surrounding of a housing complex with PCB-contaminated joint sealants. Using a Gaussian diffusion model, annual iPCB emissions of 110-190 g were calculated for this housing complex. This appreciable amount released by a single building points out that more efforts are required to further eliminate remaining PCB stocks.

Atmospheric occurrence, transport and deposition of polychlorinated biphenyls and hexachlorobenzene in the Mediterranean and Black seas

Abstract. The Mediterranean and Black seas are unique marine environments subject to important anthropogenic pressures due to direct and indirect loads of atmospheric inputs of organochlorine compounds (OCls) from primary and secondary sources. Here we report the results obtained during two east–west sampling cruises in June 2006 and May 2007 from Barcelona to Istanbul and Alexandria, respectively, where gas-phase and aerosol-phase samples were collected. Both matrices were analyzed for 41 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), including dioxin-like congeners, and hexachlorobenzene (HCB). The values reported in this study for gas-phase HCB and ∑41PCB limit of detection (LOD) to 418.3 pg m−3 and from 81.99 to 931.6 pg m−3 respectively) are in the same range of those reported in former studies, possibly suggesting a limited decline in their atmospheric concentrations during the last decade for the Mediterranean region due to land-based OCl sources. There is a clear influence of the direction of the air mass on the atmospheric concentrations of PCBs, with higher concentrations when the air mass was from southern Europe, and the lowest concentrations for air masses coming from the SW Mediterranean and Atlantic Ocean. PCBs and HCB are close to air–water equilibrium for most sampling periods, thus resulting in low atmospheric deposition fluxes at open sea. This is consistent with the oligotrophic character of the Mediterranean Sea with a small influence of the biological pump capturing atmospheric PCBs. Therefore, degradation of gas-phase PCBs by OH radicals is estimated to be the main loss process of atmospheric PCBs during their transport over the Mediterranean Sea. Conversely, atmospheric residence times of HCB are predicted to be very long due to a lack of atmospheric degradation and low depositional fluxes due to concentrations at air–water equilibrium.

Spatial and seasonal distributions of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans and polychlorinated biphenyls around a municipal solid waste incinerator, determined using polyurethane foam passive air samplers

Twenty-six ambient air samples were collected around a municipal solid waste incinerator (MSWI) in the summer and winter using polyurethane foam passive air samplers, and analyzed to assess the spatial and seasonal distributions of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Three stack gas samples were also collected and analyzed to determine PCDD/F (971pgm−3 in average) and PCB (2671pgm−3 in average) emissions from the MSWI and to help identify the sources of the pollutants in the ambient air. The total PCDD/F concentrations in the ambient air samples were lower in the summer (472–1223fgm−3) than the winter (561–3913fgm−3). In contrast, the atmospheric total PCB concentrations were higher in the summer (716–4902fgm−3) than the winter (489–2298fgm−3). Principal component analysis showed that, besides emissions from the MSWI, the domestic burning of coal and wood also contributed to the presence of PCDD/Fs and PCBs in the ambient air. The PCDD/F and PCB spatial distributions were analyzed using ordinary Kriging Interpolation and limited effect was found to be caused by emissions from the MSWI. Higher PCDD/F and PCB concentrations were observed downwind of the MSWI than in the other directions, but the highest concentrations were not to be found in the direction with the greatest wind frequency which might be caused by emissions from domestic coal and wood burning. We used a systemic method including sampling and data analysis method which can provide pioneering information for characterizing risks and assessing uncertainty of PCDD/Fs and PCBs in the ambient air around MSWIs in China.

대기 중 PCBs의 PAS에 이용되는 여러 매체의 PCBs 침착 특성

Objective: This study was carried out to determine the depositional characteristics of pine needles, pine tree bark, moss, and soil, which are used as a passive air sampler (PAS) of atmospheric polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Methods: All four media were sampled from the same site. PCB concentrations were analyzed by GC/MSD, and the lipid contents were measured using the gravimetric method. Results: The total PCB concentration (IUPAC No. 28, 52, 101, 138, 153, 180) was the highest in soil (227.97 pg/g dry), followed by pine needles (71.36 pg/g dry), pine tree bark (44.58 pg/g dry), then moss (21.91 pg/g dry). Pine needles contained the highest lipid contents (21.31 mg/g dry), whereas soil (10.01 mg/g dry), pine tree bark (4.85 mg/g dry), and moss (1.92 mg/g dry) contained less. The concentration of lower-chlorinated PCBs was relatively high in pine needles, pine tree bark and moss, but not in soil. The PCB concentrations were proportional to their lipid contents in pine needles, pine tree bark and moss, but a different trend was revealed in soil. Conclusions: The PCBs concentrations in the media were affected by various factors including atmospheric PCB concentrations, lipid contents, and depositional pathways. However, each of these factors had a varying influence depending on the type of medium.

Spatial and temporal variation and air–soil exchange of atmospheric PAHs and PCBs in an industrial region

It was recently suggested that emissions of some persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are decreasing in former use regions due to emission reductions combined with uncontrolled export, at the expense of regions receiving these substances as obsolete products and wastes. Aliaga industrial region in Izmir, Turkey is one of the regions receiving POPs in the form of scrap iron and old ships to be scrapped. Ambient air samples were collected by passive sampling during four seasons in 2009 and 2010 (winter, spring, summer, and fall) at forty different sites in Aliaga to determine the spatial and seasonal variations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Soil samples were also collected at the air sampling sites during the summer period. Phenanthrene was the most abundant PAH at all sites, and all samples were dominated by low to medium molecular weight PAHs, i.e., fluorene, fluoranthene and pyrene. The spatial distribution of ambient PAH concentrations indicated that the major PAH sources in the region were iron–steel plants, petroleum refinery, and ship dismantling plants. At residential sites, PAH concentrations were higher in winter indicating that wintertime concentrations were mainly affected by residential heating emissions. However, highest atmospheric PCBs concentrations were observed in summer, probably due to increased volatilization from their sources at higher temperatures. Low to medium molecular weight PCBs (tri–, tetra–, penta–CBs) were the most abundant compounds in air for all seasons. Results also indicated that iron–steel plants and ship dismantling facilities were the major PCB emitters in the region. A similar spatial variation was observed for soil PAH and PCB concentrations. Air and soil PAH and PCB concentrations were correlated significantly indicating the interaction of these compartments. Results of the fugacity ratio calculations indicated that local soils generally act as a sink throughout the year for medium to low volatility atmospheric PAHs and PCBs. However, during summer soil becomes a source, especially for volatile PAHs and PCBs.

Temporal trends of polychlorinated biphenyls in precipitation in Beijing, China

Temporal trend of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) was determined in precipitation and monthly depositional fluxes were calculated in Beijing for the first time from February 2009 to March 2011. Total PCBs concentrations ranged from 7.00 to 993 ng L-1 in dissolved phase and from 1.00 to 133 ng L-1 in particulate phase, with a two orders of magnitude variation. Concentrations of PCBs were dominated by dissolved phase, which accounted for 82.5% of the total PCBs in precipitation, implying PCBs enrichment in rainwater due to efficient scavenging of highly contaminated gas phase and nonfilterable submicron particles which easily adsorbed organic contaminants in urban atmosphere. Highest concentrations of PCBs were measured in snow, which were about two times higher than those in rainwater, demonstrating more efficient scavenging of PCBs by snow. The sum of bi-, tri- and tetrachlorinated congeners accounted for 70.5% of total PCBs in precipitation, suggesting that PCBs mainly come from the historical usage of domestic PCB product, e.g., trichlorobiphenyl. PCBs concentrations in both dissolved and particulate phases showed slow rate of decline, with a half-life of 16.9 years in precipitation, suggesting that the atmospheric concentrations of PCBs were decreasing slowly in Beijing. The wet deposition flux of Sigma PCBs ranged from 0.240 to 6.55 mu g m(-2) month(-1) (mean: 1.41 mu g m(-2) month(-1)), indicating a relatively high level of PCBs contamination in Beijing atmosphere. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Study of PCBs and PBDEs in King George Island, Antarctica, using PUF passive air sampling

Abstract Polyurethane foam (PUF)-disk based passive air samplers were deployed in King George Island, Antarctica, during the austral summer of 2009–2010, to investigate levels, distributions and potential sources of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in Antarctic air. The atmospheric levels of ∑ indicator PCBs and ∑ 14 PBDEs ranged from 1.66 to 6.50 pg m −3 and from 0.67 to 2.98 pg m −3 , respectively. PCBs homologue profiles were dominated by di-PCBs, tri-PCBs and tetra-PCBs, whereas BDE-17 and BDE-28 were the predominant congeners of PBDEs, which could be explained by long-range atmospheric transport processes. However, the sampling sites close to the Antarctic research stations showed higher atmospheric concentrations of PCBs and PBDEs than the other sites, reflecting potential local sources from the Antarctic research stations. The non-Aroclor congener PCB-11 was found in all the air samples, with air concentrations of 3.60–31.4 pg m −3 (average 15.2 pg m −3 ). Comparison between the results derived from PUF-disk passive air sampling and high-volume air sampling validates the feasibility of using the passive air samplers in Antarctic air. To our knowledge, this study is the first employment of PUF-disk based passive air samplers in Antarctic atmosphere.

Influence of Asian and Western United States Urban Areas and Fires on the Atmospheric Transport of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons, Polychlorinated Biphenyls, and Fluorotelomer Alcohols in the Western United States

Atmospheric measurements of semivolatile organic compounds (SOCs) were made at Mt Bachelor Observatory (MBO), located in Oregon's Cascade Range, to understand the trans-Pacific and regional transport of SOCs from urban areas. High volume air sampling (approximately 644 m3 for 24 h periods) of both the gas and particulate phases was conducted from April 19, 2004 to May 13, 2006 (n = 69); including NASA's INTEX-B campaign in spring 2006 (n = 34 of 69). Air mass back trajectories were calculated and were used to calculate source region impact factors (SRIFs), the percentage of time the sampled air mass resided in a given source region. Particulate-phase polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentrations at MBO increased with the percentage of air mass time in Asia and, in conjunction with other data, provided strong evidence that particulate-phase PAHs are emitted from Asia and undergo trans-Pacific atmospheric transport to North America. Gas-phase PAH and fluorotelomer alcohol (FTOH) concentrations significantly increased with the percentage of air mass time in California's urban areas, whereas retene and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) concentrations increased with the percentage of air mass time in Oregon and during regional fire events. In addition, sigma(gas-phase) PAH, retene, and levoglucosan concentrations were significantly correlated (p-value < 0.001) with sigma(PCB) concentrations, suggesting that increased atmospheric PCB concentrations were associated with fires due to the volatilization of stored PCBs from soil and vegetation.

Temporal and Spatial Trends of Atmospheric Polychlorinated Biphenyl Concentrations near the Great Lakes

Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) concentrations were measured in the atmosphere at six regionally representative sites near the five Great Lakes from 1990 to 2003 as part of the Integrated Atmospheric Deposition Network (IADN). Concentration data for several individual PCB congeners and for total PCBs were analyzed for temporal and spatial trends after correcting for the temperature dependency of the partial pressures. Atmospheric PCB concentrations are decreasing relatively slowly for tetra- and pentachlorinated congeners, an observation that is in agreement with primary emissions modeling. Relatively rapid decreases in PCB concentrations at the sites near Lakes Michigan and Ontario may reflect successful reduction efforts in Chicago and Toronto, respectively. Atmospheric PCB concentrations near Lakes Superior and Huron are now so low that the air and water concentrations may be close to equilibrium. Atmospheric PCB concentrations at sites near Lakes Michigan, Erie, and Ontario are relatively higher than those measured at sites near Lakes Superior and Huron. The highest PCB level was observed at the site near Lake Erie, most likely due to nearby urban activity. However, this relatively higher concentration is still 6-10 times lower than that previously reported at the Chicago site. A correlation between average gas-phase PCB concentration with local population indicates a strong urban source of PCBs. The temperature dependence of gas-phase PCB concentrations is similar at most sites except at Burnt Island on Lake Huron, where very low concentrations, approaching virtual elimination, prevent reliable temperature correlation calculations.

Measurement and modeling of urban atmospheric PCB concentrations on a small (8 km) spatial scale

Atmospheric transport and deposition of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) is an important problem for ecosystems around the world. Data from several monitoring networks demonstrate that atmospheric PCB concentrations are dramatically elevated in urban areas compared to rural or background regions, such that these urban emissions of PCBs support the regional and global transport and deposition of PCBs to more remote areas. Identifying and controlling the sources of urban atmospheric PCBs is thus essential in minimizing the regional and global transport and deposition of these compounds. From December 1999 to November 2000, gas-phase PCB concentrations were measured at two monitoring locations, ∼8 km apart, within the New York City metropolitan area, at Jersey City and Bayonne, NJ. Concentrations, congener patterns, and temporal patterns of PCBs differ dramatically at the two sites, suggesting that a significant source of atmospheric PCBs exists within 8 km of the Bayonne site, resulting in spikes in gas-phase PCB concentration at Bayonne that are not observed at Jersey City. The Regional Atmospheric Model System (RAMS) coupled with the Hybrid Particle and Concentration Transport model (HYPACT) was used to estimate that the PCB source near Bayonne emits a flux of ΣPCBs on the order of 100 g d −1. Extrapolation of this source magnitude to the area of New York City suggests that this urban area emits at least 300 kg yr −1 ΣPCBs to the regional atmosphere, similar in magnitude to the flow of ΣPCB out of the Upper Hudson River into the New York/New Jersey Harbor.

Direct and Indirect Atmospheric Deposition of PCBs to the Delaware River Watershed

Atmospheric deposition can be an important source of PCBs to aquatic ecosystems. To develop the total maximum daily load (TMDL) for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) for the tidal Delaware River (water-quality Zones 2-5), estimates of the loading of PCBs to the river from atmospheric deposition were generated from seven air-monitoring sites along the river. This paper presents the atmospheric PCB data from these sites, estimates direct atmospheric deposition fluxes, and assesses the importance of atmospheric deposition relative to other sources of PCBs to the river. Also, the relationship between indirect atmospheric deposition and PCB loads from minor tributaries to the Delaware River is discussed. Data from these sites revealed high atmospheric PCB concentrations in the Philadelphia/Camden urban area and lower regional background concentrations in the more remote areas. Wet, dry particle, and gaseous absorption deposition are estimated to contribute about 0.6, 1.8, and 6.5 kg year-(-1) sigmaPCBs to the River, respectively, exceeding the TMDL of 0.139 kg year(-1) by more than an order of magnitude. Penta-PCB watershed fluxes were obtained by dividing the tributary loads by the watershed area. The lowest of these watershed fluxes are less than approximately 1 ng m(-2) day(-1) for penta-PCB and probably indicates pristine watersheds in which PCB loads are dominated by atmospheric deposition. In these watersheds, the pass-through efficiency of PCBs is estimated to be on the order of 1%.

Study of atmospheric PCB concentrations over the eastern Mediterranean Sea

Air samples were collected between April 1999 and March 2001 at a background marine site in the eastern Mediterranean Sea and analyzed for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The average concentrations of total PCB congeners (ΣPCBs) in the gas and particulate phases of the atmosphere were 68.1 ± 28.8 and 2.3 ± 1.8 pg/m3, respectively. The lack of seasonal variation for the atmospheric concentration of individual congeners and ΣPCBs and the shallow slopes obtained from the Clausius–Clapeyron (CC) plots for several PCB congeners indicated that long‐range transport is the main factor controlling the atmospheric levels of PCBs in this area. Most of the episodes with elevated concentrations of ΣPCBs concurred with air transport from western and central Europe. This observation was mostly attributed to the predominance of N‐NW winds in eastern Mediterranean. The wind speed apparently did not affect the atmospheric concentration of PCBs. Significant changes observed on the homologue group profile of PCBs were mostly related to the origin of air parcels sampled and during summer were most probably related to the reaction of the lighter congeners with OH radicals. Partitioning of PCBs between gas and particulate phases was well correlated with the subcooled liquid vapor pressure (PLo) for 11 of the 37 samples. The slopes of log Kp versus log PLo ranged between −0.233 and −0.445 and are among the shallowest measured worldwide. This fact may indicate absorption of PCBs in particles covered by a polar film.