Passive air sampling of polychlorinated biphenyls and organochlorine pesticides at the Korean Arctic and Antarctic research stations: Implications for long-range transport and local pollution

• Published in: Environmental Science & Technology
• Main Authors: Choi, Sung-Deuk, Baek, Song-Yee, Chang, Yoon-Seok, Wania, Frank, Ikonomou, Michael G., Yoon, Young-Jun, Park, Byong-Kwon, Hong, Sungmin
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: unknown
• Published: AMER CHEMICAL SOC 2008
• Subjects: Antarctic; Antarctic Peninsula; Arctic; King George Island; Norway; The Antarctic; Antarc*; Antarctica
• Online Access: https://scholarworks.unist.ac.kr/handle/201301/8199; https://doi.org/10.1021/es801004p; http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?partnerID=HzOxMe3b&scp=54749137394

To assess levels and patterns of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in polar regions, XAD-resin based passive air samplers were deployed for one year at the Korean polar research stations at Ny-Alesund, Norway (2005-2006) and King George Island, Antarctica (2004-2005). Backward trajectories suggest that these stations are affected by long-range transport from source regions in Northern Europe and Russia and the southern tip of South America, respectively. Relatively high levels of PCB-11, averaging 60 pg??m-3, were observed in Antarctica, suggesting an unusual source of PCB-11 to the Southern Hemisphere. Reflecting the hemispheric distribution of global PCB emissions, the average level of ??205PCB (excluding three mono-CBs and PCB-11) was five times higher in the Arctic (95 pg??m-3) than in the Antarctic (19 pg??m-3). Levels of ??9PCB at Ny-Alesund were similarto those reported for other Arctic sites, while levels at King George Island were lower than at other sites on the Antarctic Peninsula but 1 order of magnitude higher than background levels measured at a more remote Antarctic site. Light homologues were predominant in all samples (except for one Arctic sample), consistent with the hypothesis of global fractionation and predictions of long-range transport potential. Dominance of heavy PCBs on the roof of the main building at Ny-Alesund and a concentration gradient with distance from the main building at King George Island strongly indicated the influence of local sources. OCP levels were also influenced by long-range transport but not by local sources. This study highlights the feasibility of using passive air sampling to assess both long-range transport and local pollution in remote regions. close 55 50