Atmospheric Concentrations and Deposition of Polychorinated Biphenyls to the Hudson River Estuary

Abstract

The first estimates of atmospheric deposition fluxes of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) to the Hudson River Estuary are presented. Concentrations of PCBs were measured in air, aerosol, and precipitation at nine sites representing a variety of land-use regimes at regular intervals from October 1997 through May 2001. Highest concentrations in the gas phase were observed at urban sites such as Camden and Jersey City (sigmaPCB concentrations averaged 3250 and 1260 pg m(-3), respectively). In great portions of the state encompassing forested, coastal, and suburban environments, gas-phase sigmaPCB concentrations were essentially the same (averaging 150-220 pg m(-3)). This spatial trend suggests that atmospheric PCBs arise from highly localized, urban sources which influence atmospheric concentrations and deposition fluxes over a distance of a few tens of kilometers. Atmospheric sigmaPCB deposition fluxes (gas absorption + dry particle deposition + wet deposition) ranged from 7.3 to 340 microg m(-2) yr(-1) and increased with proximity to urban areas. While the magnitude of the fluxes increased with urbanization,the relative proportions of wet, dry, and gaseous deposition remained largely constant. Because the Hudson River Estuary is adjacent to urban areas such as Jersey City, it is subject to higher depositional fluxes of PCBs. These depositional fluxes are at least 2-10 times those estimated for the Chesapeake Bay and Lake Michigan. Inputs of PCBs to the Hudson River Estuary from the upper Hudson River and from wastewater treatment plants are 8-18 times atmospheric inputs, and volatilization of PCBs from the estuary exceeds atmospheric deposition of low molecular weight PCBs.

Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs) Impact on Water Quality and Environmental Ecosystem in the Harlem River

“…PCBs from the upper Hudson River are dominated by lower molecular weight (MW) congeners including low MW Aroclor 1254 by GE as well as dechlorination of PCBs in the sediments [18]. In the Harlem River and NY/NJ Harbor, high MW PCBs sources are dominated by storm water runoff and CSOs mostly PCB 11 that is a non-Aroclor congener and is an indicator of storm water, CSOs and wastewater [18]- [20]. PCBs affect human health through the food chain or by individual exposure, such as swimming.…”

Atmospheric polychlorinated biphenyls in Indian cities: Levels, emission sources and toxicity equivalents

“…It has even been hypothesized that there has been a shift in primary emission regions of PCBs on a global scale with high emission continuing in some sub-tropical and tropical regions implicated as recipients of wastes, paralleled by significant reductions in atmospheric burdens within former use regions . Furthermore due to the tropical climate in India, PCBs can readily enter the atmosphere from some sources such as volatilization from or incineration of PCB containing materials and products, vaporization from landfills, airewater/ soil exchange, vaporization from contaminated surfaces and sludge dewatering beds contaminated with PCBs (Totten et al, 2004;Biterna and Voutsa, 2005). Inhalation exposure is an important route and is of substantial concern for the urban environment.…”

Chirality as an Environmental Forensics Tool

“…Since the production of PCBs ceased in the late 1970s in North America and Europe, current atmospheric sources of PCBs are believed to be predominantly from volatilization from contaminated environmental surfaces such as soil [312][313][314] and water [291,315]. However, emission from existing PCB technical mixtures (i.e.…”