Atmospheric concentrations, occurrence and deposition of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in a Mediterranean coastal site (Etang der Tau, France)

Atmospheric concentrations and deposition fluxes (wet and dry) of PCDD/F, PCB and PBDE to a Mediterranean coastal location (Thau lagoon, France) have been evaluated. ∑2,3,7,8-PCDD/Fs, ∑18 PCBs and ∑8 PBDEs (gas + particulate) air concentrations ranged from 67-1700 fg m-3, 13-95 and 158-230 pg m-3, respectively. Air masses origin and composition as well as local meteorological conditions play a role in pollutant loadings into the Thau lagoon airshed and subsequent inputs to the aquatic system. Whereas PCDD/Fs may arrive to the area transported from other regions as well as locally emitted, PCB and PBDEs inputs seem to me more related to local emissions. Total (wet + dry) Σ2,3,7,8-PCDD/Fs, Σ18PCBs, and Σ8PBDEs (dry only) mass inputs to Thau Lagoon waters are 3, 18, and 16 g y-1, respectively. The observed seasonality of atmospheric fluxes (higher values during the cold season), highlights the ‘dynamic’ character of the airshed, determining different contaminant loads in the aquatic system depending of its status.

CASTRO JIMENEZ Javier;  MARIANI Giulio;  VIVES-RUBIO Ingrid;  SKEJO Helle;  UMLAUF Gunther;  ZALDIVAR COMENGES Jose';  DUERI Sibylle;  MESSIAEN G.;  LAUGIER T.; 

2011-05-30

ELSEVIER SCI LTD

JRC61996

0269-7491,   

https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC61996,   

10.1016/j.envpol.2011.03.012,