209 Polychlorinated Biphenyls (Pcb) and Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins and -Furans (Pcdd/F) in ambient air and deposition in the German background

Abstract

PCDD/Fs and 209 PCBs were investigated in ambient air and atmospheric deposition at two background monitoring sites in Germany over a period of 12 months in 2018/19. Both substance groups have been frequently found in ambient air, principally with the expected seasonal variations. In deposition, PCDD/Fs as well as PCBs were frequently below the method quantification limits. Besides the frequently investigated dioxin-like PCBs and six indicator PCBs, the analysis of the 209 PCBs (166 separated PCB-peaks) enabled the identification and evaluation of additional PCBs that might be of environmental concern. Of 166 PCBs or PCB-coelutions, up to 144 were quantified in air samples and up to 94 in atmospheric deposition samples. Some of these PCBs were observed at levels similar to or exceeding those of the frequently investigated six indicator PCBs. Important additional PCBs in ambient air were PCB 5/8, PCB 11, PCB 17, PCB 18, PCB 20/33, PCB 31, PCB 43/49, PCB 44, PCB 47/48/65/75, PCB 93/95/98/102, PCB 139/149, and PCB 151. The presence of these PCBs in atmospheric samples implies that routine analysis oversees potentially important contaminants. Quelle: https://papers.ssrn.com/