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Extraction of Organochlorine Pesticides from Plastic Pellets and Plastic Type Analysis
Published on: July 1, 2017
Atlantic ocean surface waters buffer declining atmospheric concentrations of persistent organic pollutants
Luca Nizzetto1, Rainer Lohmann, Rosalinda Gioia
1Centre of Chemicals Management, Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YQ, UK.
Environmental Science & Technology
|August 24, 2010
Summary
Environmental concentrations of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are declining in the Atlantic Ocean, faster than on land. Oceanic geochemical processes and degradation in surface waters control POPs cycling and ocean-atmosphere exchange.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Chemistry
- Oceanography
- Atmospheric Chemistry
Background:
- International measures have reduced some persistent organic pollutants (POPs) globally.
- Re-emissions from environmental reservoirs like oceans can slow POPs decline.
- Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) show slow decline in oceans, unlike continental areas.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate POPs trends in the remote Atlantic Ocean.
- Understand oceanic controls on POPs levels and cycling.
- Assess the role of oceanic processes in POPs fate.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans (PCDD/Fs) and PCBs in the Atlantic Ocean.
- Comparison of oceanic POPs trends with continental data.
- Evaluation of oceanic sink processes and re-emission.
Main Results:
- Significant decline (2-3 orders of magnitude) in some PCDD/Fs in the Atlantic Ocean.
- Faster decline of PCDD/Fs in the ocean than on land.
- Observed re-emission of lower chlorinated PCDD/Fs from surface water to atmosphere.
- Degradation in surface waters identified as a key sink process.
Conclusions:
- Oceanic geochemical controls significantly impact POPs levels and cycling.
- Surface water degradation is crucial for PCDD/Fs removal, explaining differences with PCBs.
- Oceans possess a chemical-specific buffering capacity influencing system response to emission changes.
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