Spatial Differences in Persistent Organochlorine Pollutant Concentrations between the Bering and Chukchi Seas (1993)

• Published in: Marine pollution bulletin 2001-01, Vol.43 (1), p.132-142
• Main Authors: Strachan, W.M.J., Burniston, D.A., Williamson, M., Bohdanowicz, H.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Air Pollutants - analysis; Arctic; Arctic Regions; Bering; Bering Strait; Chlorobenzenes - analysis; Chukchi; Demography; Geologic Sediments - analysis; Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated - analysis; Insecticides - analysis; Oceans and Seas; organochlorine; PCB; Pesticide Residues - analysis; pesticides; Polychlorinated Biphenyls - analysis; POPs; Seawater - analysis; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis; Water Pollution, Chemical - analysis
• ISSN: 0025-326X; 1879-3363
• DOI: 10.1016/S0025-326X(01)00078-9

During August-September 1993, a joint Russian-United States expedition to the Bering and Chukchi Seas took place. Surface water samples were collected from 21 sites and separated into dissolved (duplicates) and suspended solids; 19 sediment and 6 air samples were also collected. These samples were analysed for 19 organochlorine pesticides, 11 chlorobenzenes and 113 PCB congeners. The report provides data on selected compounds which occured in ⩾75% of the water samples. Highest water concentrations were observed for HCH in open waters north and south of the Bering Strait, both regions being similar (α-HCH; 2.2 ng/L and lindane: 0.35 ng/L). Air levels observed were also constant ( α-HCH; 0.041 ng/m 3 , lindane: 0.0093 ng/m 3 ). Suspended solids and air particulares contributed little to the concentrations in their respective media, an observation common to all analytes except for the PCBs and the DDT residues. The ∑PCB concentrations in water were higher in the Bering Sea area compared to the Chukchi Sea (1.0 vrs 0.67 ng/L) and lower for air (0.46 vrs 0.23 ng/m 3 ). ∑DDT in water was higher in the Bering Sea than in the Chukchi Sea (0.23 vrs 0.15 ng/L) while in sediments and air, the Bering Sea concentrations were lower (0.95 vrs 1.6 ng/g and 36 vrs 56 pg/m 3 , respectively). Other organochlorine compounds for which data are presented include: pp ′-DDE, pp ′-DDT, dieldrin, HCB, 3 chlorobenzenes and 3 PCB congeners. Fluxes of all these chemicals through the Berin Strait are estimated; they ranged from 57 t/a ( α-HCH) through 26 t/a (for ∑PCBs) to 0.2 t/a ( pp ′-DDE, dieldrin and 1,2,3-trichlorobenzene). Fugacity ratios for the HCHs and PCBs indicate the α-HCH is degassing in both the Bering and Chukchi Seas and that the γ-isomer is degassing in the Bering Sea and is close to equilibrium (weakly absorbing) in the Chuchi Sea; the ∑PCBs are strongly absorbing in both areas.