Levels and distribution of polychlorinated biphenyls in the atmosphere close to Chinese Great Wall Station, Antarctica: Results from XAD-resin passive air sampling

Abstract

Antarctica is an important research region for assessing persistence and long-range atmospheric transport (LRAT) of persistent organic pollutants (POPs). In this study, XAD-resin passive air sampling was conducted near the Chinese Great Wall Station, Antarctica, during a one-year sampling period in 2009-2010. The air concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were at a very low level, with total PCBs in the range of 26.74-45.08 pg m -3. PCB profiles were dominated by tetra-PCBs, tri-PCBs and di-PCBs, indicating LRAT was responsible for the pollutants in the Antarctic atmosphere. The sampling site near the Chinese Great Wall Station did not show higher PCB levels than the other sites, suggesting that PCB sources associated with the Great Wall Station were negligible. PCB-11 is a non-Aroclor congener, which has specific sources compared to other Aroclor PCB congeners. PCB-11 was observed in all air samples, with an average concentration of 1.22 pg m -3. To our knowledge, this study is the first investigation of PCB levels and distribution in the atmosphere around the Chinese Great Wall Station, Antarctica. © 2012 The Author(s).