Application of XAD-resin based passive air samplers to assess local (roadside) and regional patterns of persistent organic pollutants

We used XAD-resin based passive air samplers (PAS) to measure atmospheric levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) at five ombrotrophic bogs in Eastern Canada. The aims of our study were to investigate the influence of local roads on contaminant levels in the bogs, to derive the regional pattern of atmospheric concentrations, and to assess the uncertainties of the method. Expanded uncertainties based on the duplicate PAS deployed at 24 sites were good for the PAHs, while the deployment period of approx. 100 days was too short to yield acceptable uncertainties for PCBs. The regional PAH distribution was in good agreement with the calculated source proximity of the sampled bogs. We conclude that XAD-resin based PAS deployed for comparatively short periods are well suited for measuring atmospheric concentrations of volatile PAHs, while in remote regions longer deployment is necessary for less volatile PAHs and for PCBs.

Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► Resin-based passive air samplers are used to measure air concentration of POPs.
► A 400 km transect along an industrial–rural–urban gradient is analyzed.
► Air concentrations are in good agreement with calculated proximity to source.
► Expanded uncertainty for PAH analysis complies to regulatory threshold value.
► PCB distribution shows fractionation along the transect.