Polyethylene passive samplers were deployed during summer and fall 2011 in the lower Great Lakes to gain more knowledge about the spatial distribution and sources of gaseous and freely dissolved polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), and to calculate their air-water exchange.   Average concentrations of gaseous OCPs and ?29PCBs ranged from <LOD-133 and 5.0-152 pg/m3respectively. Gaseous concentrations of hexachlorobenzene, dieldrin, chlordanes and PCBs were significantly higher (p < 0.05) at Lake Erie than Lake Ontario. A multiple linear regression that incorporated meteorological, landuse and population data was used to explain variability in the atmospheric concentrations. Results indicated that landuse (urban and/or cropland) greatly explained the variability in the data. Freely dissolved concentrations of OCPs (<LOD-114 pg/L) and PCBs (1.0-55 pg/L) were lower than previously detected concentrations. Nonetheless, concentrations of PCBs, p,p'-DDE and chlordanes were higher than water quality guidelines for the protection of human health from the consumption of fish.  Spatial distributions of freely dissolved OCPs and PCBs in Lakes Erie and Ontario were influenced by loadings from areas of concern and the water circulation patterns.  Air-water exchange model indicated that PCBs and the majority of OCPs are volatilizing from the water and therefore water is acting as a secondary source to the atmosphere.

Spatial trends and sources of gaseous and freely dissolved persistent organic pollutants in the Great Lakes basin and modeling the air-water exchange using low density polyethylene passive samplers

248th National Meeting (2014)

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