Dry deposition fluxes and velocities of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) associated with particles

Abstract

The interest in atmospheric deposition by the scientific community has increased a great deal over the past several years because of its significant contribution to the pollution budget of many natural waters. Dry deposition is an effective removal mechanism for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from the atmosphere. This study focuses on the understanding of the particulate dry deposition of PCBs in urban areas. In this paper, 43 chromatographic PCB congener peaks which represent 50 individual or coeluting congeners were evaluated. The PCB dry deposition fluxes were measured using a smooth, greased, knife-edge surrogate surface holding greased Mylar strips in Chicago, IL. The average PCB dry deposition flux measured (190±80ngm-2day -1) was similar to those measured in other urban areas. Ambient air samples were also collected simultaneously with flux samples. The average apparent dry deposition velocity, calculated by dividing the fluxes to the particle phase concentrations was 5.2±2.9cms-1. This value is in good agreement with the values calculated using similar techniques.