Atmospheric concentrations, occurrence and deposition of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in a Mediterranean coastal site (Etang de Thau, France)

Abstract

Atmospheric concentrations and deposition fluxes of PCDD/F and PCB have been evaluated over a 1-year period in a Mediterranean coastal lagoon (Etang de Thau, France). Indicative PBDE air concentrations in the hot season are also reported in this work. ∑2,3,7,8-PCDD/Fs and ∑18PCBs (gas+particulate) air concentrations ranged from 67 to 1700 fg m(-3) and from 13 to 95 pg m(-3), respectively whereas ∑8PBDEs (gas+particulate) summer time levels varied from 158 to 230 pg m(-3). The PCDD/F and PCB atmospheric occurrence over Thau lagoon and subsequent inputs to the surface waters are determined by an assemble of factors, being the seasonality of atmospheric concentration, the air mass origin and meteorological conditions important drivers. Total (wet+dry) ∑2,3,7,8-PCDD/Fs and ∑18PCBs deposition fluxes to Thau Lagoon waters are 117 and 715 pg m(-2)d(-1), respectively.

Influential Factors and Dry Deposition of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) in Atmospheric Particles at an Isolated Island (Pingtan Island) in Fujian Province, China

“…The proportion of highly-chlorinated PCBs was higher during the cold season (fall, winter, and spring), and the level of lowly-chlorinated PCBs was markedly elevated during the summer. Seasonal variations in the particle-bound PCB levels in the Pingtan atmosphere were similar to those reported in urban areas, such as Shanghai [18], Jinan [40], and a Mediterranean coastal site [17]. However, the levels were significantly different from those in an abandoned e-waste recycling site in South China (Qingyuan, Guangdong Province, China), which exhibited approximately one order-of-magnitude-higher concentrations during the summer than during the winter [7,41].…”

“…Trajectories were generated from the sampling site at three different heights (100, 500, and 1000 m) above sea level. These heights are frequently used [17,25] and ensure that the BT starts in the atmospheric boundary layer [26].…”

Review of the current state and main sources of dioxins around the world

“…Monitoring of ambient air concentrations is then an important source of information in order to measure the evolution of these pollutants, depending on the location, meteorology variables (Gunes and Saral, 2014), mechanisms of transportation, deposition and dispersion (Castro Jimenez et al, 2011), or even seasonal parameters; it has been probed that the concentration of dioxins in ambient air is higher during winter months (Ding et al, 2013;Gunes and Saral, 2014;Wcgiel et al, 2014). Other important meteorological parameters that interact with dioxin concentrations are ultraviolet (UV), solar radiation, and precipitation.…”

Persistent organic pollutants in tropical coastal and offshore environment: part A—atmospheric polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

“…Due to their bioaccumulation and potent toxic characteristics, these chemical compounds have adverse effects on human health and the environment (Safe and Hutzinger 1984;Safe 1990;Vreugdenhil et al 2002). Unlike most other air pollutants, POPs are capable of permanent retention in the environment; they can be distributed into the environment through several routes (e.g., deposition or air-water exchange into aquatic environments and sink to the soil environment) (Agrell et al 2002;Castro-Jiménez et al 2011;Jurado et al 2004Jurado et al , 2005. In addition, physicochemical properties of POPs may favor long-range transport through atmospheric circulation (Halsall et al 2001;Halse et al 2011;Wania and MacKay 1996).…”