Polychlorinated naphthalenes in the air over the equatorial Indian Ocean: Occurrence, potential sources, and toxicity

• Published in: Marine Pollution Bulletin
• Main Authors: Huang, Yumei, Li, Jun, Xu, Yue, Xu, Weihai, Zhong, Guangcai, Liu, Xiang, Zhang, Gan
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Published: PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD 2016
• Subjects: Environmental Sciences & Ecology; Marine & Freshwater Biology; Polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs); The equatorial Indian Ocean; Atmosphere; Potential source; Toxicity; Environmental Sciences; SPATIAL-DISTRIBUTION; ARCTIC AIR; FOOD-CHAIN; BALTIC SEA; PCBS; PCNS; BIPHENYLS; EMISSIONS; PROFILES; Arctic; Indian
• Online Access: http://ir.gig.ac.cn/handle/344008/54816; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.03.065

Monitoring of marine polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs) is crucial, as they are considered persistent organic pollutants (POPs) by the Stockholm Convention. Data on PCNs in marine environment are scarce. In this study, 19 air samples were collected during a cruise in the equatorial Indian Ocean on board the Chinese research vessel Shiyan I from 4/2011 to 5/2011. PCN concentration of these air samples ranged from 0.033 to 2.56 pg m(-3), with an average of 0.518 pg m(-3), equal to or lower than the values reported for other oceans, seas, and lakes worldwide. Tri- and tetra-CNs were the main homologues in most samples. Remission of Halowax mixtures and incineration processes were the major sources of atmospheric PCNs in the study area. The PCN-corresponding toxic equivalency values ranged from 0 to 0.190 fg m(-3) (average: 0.038 fg m(-3)), falling in the low end of global range. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.