Long‐range transport of organic chemicals in the environment

Abstract

Abstract-The long-range transport (LRT) of organic chemicals in the environment is reviewed, with particular focus on the role of environmental fate and transport models and the relationship between model results and field data. Results from generic multimedia box models, spatially resolved multimedia box models, and atmospheric transport models are highlighted, including conceptual investigations of cold-trap effect and global fractionation as well as results for particular chemicals, such as hexachlorocyclohexanes, DDT, polychlorinated biphenyls, perfluoroocctanoic acid, and polybrominated diphenyl ethers. Comparison of model results to field data shows that in many cases environmental fate models provide a good description of the distribution dynamics observed in the field, with deviations between measured and modeled concentrations around a factor of five. Sorption to atmospheric aerosols as a key process influencing the LRT of semivolatile organic chemicals (SOCs) is discussed, and the need for more measurements of the aerosol-air partitioning of SOCs and of the reactivity of particle-bound chemicals is pointed out. Key findings from field campaigns measuring legacy persistent organic pollutants (POPs) as well as new POPs are summarized. Finally, the relationship between science and politics in the field of POPs is addressed. Research into the LRT of organic chemicals has always occurred in interaction with political activities aiming to reduce the emissions of POPs. Since the late 1990s, the Stockholm Convention and the Aarhus Protocol on POPs have formed an important political context for research concerning POPs; the implementation of these international treaties creates a demand for ongoing research into the LRT of organic chemicals.

Aerosol-Mediated Transport and Deposition of Brominated Diphenyl Ethers to Antarctica

“…[11][12][13][14] These studies have highlighted the need for improved understanding of the fate and transport of aerosolassociated organic contaminants in the global environment. 1 In 2001 we found BDEs associated with ice algae, phytoplankton, and krill (Euphausia superba) along the western Antarctic Peninsula, 15 and BDEs have also been found in Antarctic fish and penguins, 16,17 moss and lichens, 18 and in sediments and benthic organisms in the vicinity of McMurdo research station in Antarctica. 19 This latter paper indicated that local inputs from research activities may be an important source of BDEs to the Antarctic marine environment.…”

A Review of the Properties and Processes Determining the Fate of Engineered Nanomaterials in the Aquatic Environment

“…They allow to estimate and to predict phase partitioning, transport, and transformation of chemicals at local to global scales (Scheringer, 2009). A number of platforms are available to model the fate of conventional chemical compounds in different environmental compartments, such as soils, surface-and groundwaters.…”

Dietary Intake of Environmentally Persistent Plaguicides in the European Population

“…The physical and chemical characteristics of these substances make possible that a POP released anywhere, can eventually grow to anywhere in the world. These pesticides are propagated by evaporation into the atmosphere from warmer regions of the world -tropical countries, which is precisely where they are most commonly used-to the cooler regions, where they are deposited by condensation (Scheringer, 2009). Evaporation rates in these cold regions of the planet are very low, therefore, such substances are "trapped" there, and deposited in living organisms (Scheringer, 2009).…”

“…These pesticides are propagated by evaporation into the atmosphere from warmer regions of the world -tropical countries, which is precisely where they are most commonly used-to the cooler regions, where they are deposited by condensation (Scheringer, 2009). Evaporation rates in these cold regions of the planet are very low, therefore, such substances are "trapped" there, and deposited in living organisms (Scheringer, 2009). Anyhow, in contrast to expectations, the levels of POPs in tropical countries are similar to those found in the coolest regions (Weber et al, 2008).…”