Air–soil exchange of PCBs: Seasonal variations in levels and fluxes with influence of equilibrium conditions

The variations in the occurrences of PCB congeners both in soil and air were investigated in conjunction with each other, and the changes in the fugacity fractions and flux levels were examined on a seasonal basis. Air and soil samples were collected concurrently two or three times in a month during a one-year monitoring at two different locations in Bursa, located in the northwestern Turkey. Fugacity fractions and net flux levels of PCB congeners were calculated.Air and soil PCB levels increased together as the soil temperature increased, suggesting the influence of instantaneous air–soil exchange towards the equilibrium conditions. The flux levels and fugacity fractions also showed a positive significant correlation with soil temperature. Flux levels were positive for the dates with fugacity fractions above 0.5, indicating volatilization from soil to air.

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► Seasonal PCB concentrations and fluxes at soil-air interface were assessed.
► Highest soil and air PCB concentrations occurred in summer and autumn.
► More soil-air exchange occurred in summer and autumn than in winter and spring.
► Flux levels of light congeners were higher than that of heavy congeners.