Spatial and seasonal variations of organochlorine compounds in air on an urban–rural transect across Tianjin, China

• Published in: Chemosphere (Oxford) 2010, Vol.78 (2), p.92-98
• Main Authors: Zheng, Xiaoyan, Chen, Dazhou, Liu, Xiande, Zhou, Qunfang, Liu, Yue, Yang, Wen, Jiang, Guibin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Air Pollutants - analysis; Air Pollutants - chemistry; China; DDT; DDT - analysis; Dichlorodiphenyl Dichloroethylene - analysis; Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated - analysis; Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated - chemistry; Lindane - analysis; OCPs and PCBs; Organochlorine compounds; Passive air sampler; Polychlorinated Biphenyls - analysis; Samplers; Seasonal variations; Seasons; Spatial and seasonal variations; Springs; Summer; Tianjin; Urban areas
• ISSN: 0045-6535; 1879-1298
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2009.10.017

The spatial and seasonal variations of atmospheric organochlorine compounds (OCs) concentrations was investigated at six sites on an urban–rural transect in Tianjin, China from July 2006 to June 2008 using XAD-based passive air samplers. The samplers were deployed for six time periods. Hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs) air concentrations were highest at Tanggu and Tuanbowa and decreased dramatically further away from these two sites. The maximum proportion of β-HCH compared to ΣHCHs (12.1–32.2%) was found in Hangu, suggesting its persistence. The α/γ-HCH ratio was between 1.26 and 5.79 which signified the combined influence of technical HCHs and lindane. Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane related compounds (DDTs) were higher at Hangu compared with other sites which was attributed to its continuing production there. Low p,p′-DDE/ p,p′-DDT in Hangu and Tanggu were found, reflecting the fresh input of DDTs while the relatively high o,p′-DDT/ p,p′-DDT ratios indicated the agricultural application of dicofol. Polychlorinated biphenyls distribution elucidated that the urban area could be their emission source. Hexachlorobenzene, with the highest concentrations in Tanggu, showed the smallest industrial/urban–rural gradient (∼4–9 times) than those of other chemicals (∼17–49 for ΣHCHs, ∼10–77 for ΣDDTs), but comparable with PCBs (PCB28 and PCB52) (∼3–10). Seasonal variations of OCPs were featured by higher concentration in spring and summer and lower in winter. This was likely associated with (i) their temperature-driven re-volatilization and (ii) application of dicofol in late spring and summer and DDT-containing antifouling paints for fishing ships in summer. However seasonality of PCBs concentrations was site-specific on the Tianjin scale.