Hexachlorocyclohexanes and endosulfans in urban, rural, and high altitude air samples in the Fraser Valley, British Columbia: evidence for trans-Pacific transport

Environ Sci Technol. 2005 Feb 1;39(3):724-31. doi: 10.1021/es048700h.

Abstract

High-volume air samples collected over the period Aug. 14-30, 2001, in the Lower Fraser Valley, BC, Canada, were used to assess urban/rural differences of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) for ground level samples and to attempt to directly measure events of trans-Pacific inputs through the mid-troposphere. Hexachlorocyclohexanes (alpha- and gamma-isomers; 2-25 pg m(-3)) and endosulfan1 and -2 (5-150 pg m(-3)) were detected in all ground level samples. Seven air samples were collected during mid-troposphere flights (approximately 4400 m altitude) over the Lower Fraser Valley. These flights occurred concurrently with ground level sampling. Trajectory analysis identified three events of substantial mid-troposphere, trans-Pacific flow where 10-day back trajectories stemmed from potential source regions in Asia. These events were also characterized by higher air concentrations of alpha-HCH at 4400 m as compared to the ground level stations. This represents the first event-based, aircraft measurement of advection inputs of OCPs in the mid-troposphere of the west coast of North America.

MeSH terms

  • Air Movements
  • Air Pollutants / analysis*
  • Aircraft*
  • Altitude
  • Atmosphere
  • British Columbia
  • Cities
  • Endosulfan / analysis*
  • Environmental Monitoring
  • Hexachlorocyclohexane / analysis*
  • Insecticides / analysis*

Substances

  • Air Pollutants
  • Insecticides
  • Hexachlorocyclohexane
  • Endosulfan