Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the atmosphere of sub-alpine northern Italy

The main objective of this work was to assess the atmospheric concentrations and seasonal variations of selected POPs in a sub-alpine location where few data are available. A monitoring and research station was set up at the JRC Ispra EMEP site (Italy). We present and discuss a one-year data set (20...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Environmental pollution (1987) 2009-03, Vol.157 (3), p.1024-1032
Main Authors:	Castro-Jiménez, J., Dueri, S., Eisenreich, S.J., Mariani, G., Skejo, H., Umlauf, G., Zaldívar, J.M.
Format:	Article
Language:	eng
Subjects:	air flow Air monitoring Air Pollutants - analysis air pollution Applied sciences Atmospheric pollution chemical concentration Chemical Sciences Congener pattern congeners Deposition fluxes dry deposition Environmental Monitoring - methods Environmental Sciences Exact sciences and technology Gases Italy Lake Maggiore Models, Statistical monitoring Particulate Matter particulates physical phases Pollutants physicochemistry study: properties, effects, reactions, transport and distribution Pollution polychlorinated biphenyls Polychlorinated Biphenyls - analysis POPs Rain seasonal variation Seasons subalpine region Temperature wet deposition
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Summary:	The main objective of this work was to assess the atmospheric concentrations and seasonal variations of selected POPs in a sub-alpine location where few data are available. A monitoring and research station was set up at the JRC Ispra EMEP site (Italy). We present and discuss a one-year data set (2005–2006) on PCB air concentrations. ∑7PCBs monthly averaged concentration varied from 31 to 76 pg m −3. Concentrations in the gas phase (21–72 pg m −3) were higher than those in the particulate phase (3–10 pg m −3). Advection of air masses and re-volatilization from local sources seem to play a dominant role as drivers of PCB atmospheric concentrations in the area. Indications of seasonal variation affecting PCB congener patterns and the gas/particulate partitioning were found. Modeling calculations suggest a predominant importance of the wet deposition in this region (1 μg m −2 yr −1 ∑7PCBs yearly total wet deposition flux; 650–2400 pg L −1 rainwater concentrations). Advection of air masses and re-volatilization from local sources play a dominant role as drivers of the PCB atmospheric concentration in sub-alpine northern Italy.
ISSN:	0269-7491 1873-6424