Global pilot study for persistent organic pollutants (POPs) using PUF disk passive air samplers

Polyurethane foam (PUF) disks were deployed at global background sites, to test logistical issues associated with a global monitoring network for persistent organic pollutants (POPs). alpha-HCH, exhibited relatively high and uniform concentrations (17-150 pg/m(3)) at temperate and arctic sites with elevated concentrations associated with trans-Pacific inflow. Concentrations were much lower (< 5 pg/m(3)) in Bermuda, Chile and Cape Grim. Concentrations for gamma-HCH, the main component of lindane, were spatially similar to the a-HCH pattern but lower in magnitude (typically, < 10 pg/m(3)). Chlordane concentrations (sum of cis-chlordane, trans-chlordane and trans-nonachlor) were also low (< 10 pg/m(3)). Dieldrin concentrations were in the range 2-25 pg/m(3) at most sites but elevated in Bermuda. Back trajectories suggest that advection from Africa 3 and the US may contribute. Endosulfan, a popular current-use pesticide, exhibited highest concentrations ranging from tens to hundreds of pg/m(3) There was good agreement between duplicate samplers at each site and PUF disk-derived air concentrations agreed with high volume data. Few logistical/analytical problems were encountered in this pilot study. Crown Copyright (c) 2006 Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.