Atmospheric concentrations of PCDD/Fs, dl-PCBs and some pesticides in northern Algeria using passive air sampling

Two monitoring campaigns were conducted in northern Algeria to assess the contamination level of pesticides and persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in ambient air. Six pesticides (α- and γ-hexachlorocyclohexane, fenitrothion, malathion, chlorpyrifos and λ-cyhalothrin) were monitored at two different sampling locations during the first campaign. The passive sampling was performed at a semi urban/industrial site but also in a rural area between July to September 2008. The pesticides levels, analyzed by GC/MS/MS, ranged from 16 pg m−3 to 11 ng m−3. The second campaign was carried out from May to November 2009. The polychlorodibenzo-p-dioxins, dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dl-PCBs) concentrations were evaluated at an urban/industrial and at an industrial site. The PCDD/Fs and dl-PCBs, analyzed by HRGC/HRMS, ranged from 249 to 923 fg TEQ m−3. In addition to passive sampling, active sampling using an isokinetic sampler was also performed at an industrial waste incinerator. The PCDD/Fs and dl-PCBs found was 268 pg TEQ m−3. This paper presents the first measurements of PCDD/Fs, dl-PCBs and pesticides in rural, urban and industrial areas of northern Algeria.

► Six pesticides, 17 PCDD/Fs and 12 dl-PCBs were measured in air atmosphere of Algeria.
► The pesticides levels ranged from 16 pg m−3 to 11 ng m−3.
► The mean ratios of α- to γ-HCH indicate that HCH could come from lindane.
► PCDD/Fs and dl-PCBs ranged from 18 to 84 pg m−3 in rural/industrial zones.
► PCDD/Fs and dl-PCBs level was 7.74 ng m−3 (0.268 pg TEQ m−3) at IWI emission.