Seasonal variations in the atmospheric concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls in Kuwait

- Study reports on seasonal variability and urban-rural concentration gradients using two sampling methods.
- PCBs mostly present in the gas phase particularly during hot summer months.
- The median ΣPCBs concentrations at the urban location significantly higher than at the remote location.
- Results consistent with the view that urban centers are a net source of PCBs to the environment.
- Passive sampler derived concentrations showed a uniform distribution except at a few locations.

The spatial and temporal variations in the atmospheric concentrations of PCBs were concomitantly measured at several sites over a twelve-month period in Kuwait to examine seasonal variability and urban-rural concentration gradients using two sampling methods. The annual mean (and range) of ∑PCB concentrations measured using high volume samplers was 10.8 (1.2-32) pg m−3 at the remote site and 39.4 (1.1-128) pg m−3 at the urban site. The median concentrations of ΣPCBs at the urban location (30.3 pg m−3) was significantly higher (p < 0.001) than that measured at the remote location (8.6 pg m−3) consistent with the view that urban centers are an important net source of these compounds to the environment. Passive sampler derived concentrations across the country showed a uniform distribution except at a few locations in the vicinity of suspected sources where elevated concentrations were measured. As with active sampling data, the concentrations measured using passive samplers were higher in urban areas (range, 4-78 pg/m3) compared to remote sites (range, 2.2-17 pg/m3). The concentrations measured at some urban sites correlated extremely well with mean temperature during the deployment period whereas temperature correlations with measured concentrations were negative at remote and semi-rural sites suggesting that air-surface exchange maybe a key driving mechanism of the current levels of PCBs in Kuwait.