Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
8862809 | Atmospheric Pollution Research | 2016 | 9 Pages |
Abstract
A preliminary evaluation of Semivolatile Organic Compounds (SVOCs) was performed in the atmosphere of Santiago de Cali, Colombia, using passive air samplers based polyurethane foam (PAS-PUF) disks. PAS-PUF were deployed in four sites, along a north-south transect(â¼15 km), during one sampling period of â¼4 months in 2011, form the industrial area of Yumbo (EF site) to the agricultural area of Valle del Cauca (FCNE). Results showed, for PCBs and PAHs, a clear north-south (IN > AG) decreasing concentration gradient (â¼3 times) while OCPs exhibited an opposite gradient (UR < AG). Endosulfan I showed the highest concentrations in air (â¼0.8-60 ng mâ3). The HCHs (α- and γ-) concentrations ranged from BDL to â¼19 ng mâ3, with α-HCH showing the highest levels (suggesting recent use of technical HCHs) and for DDTs levels fluctuated from BDL to â¼29 ng mâ3 (with p,p'-DDE accounting for 50-80% of total DDTs). PAHs levels (â¼25-66 ng mâ3) were characterized by the abundance of Phenanthrene (34%), fluoranthene (18%) and pyrene (16%). For PCBs, concentrations in air ranged from â¼0.2 to 0.9 ng mâ3 and were characterized by middle to a higher molecular weight PCB composition pattern. The results of OCPs are much higher than those found in other areas of Latin America. These results are likely influenced by the proximity of agricultural cultivations (i.e., sugarcane crops) in the southern part of the city. These results provide preliminary information about the presence of SVOCs in the atmosphere of Santiago de Cali, and constitute the basis for future monitoring programs.
Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering
Earth and Planetary Sciences
Atmospheric Science
Authors
Ángela L. Álvarez, Karla Pozo, Martha I. Paéz, Victor H. Estellano, Yasna Llanos, Silvano Focardi,