Semivolatile organochlorine compounds in the free troposphere of the northeastern Atlantic

Polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs), hexachlorobenzene (HCB), hexachlorocyclohexanes, and DOTS were analyzed over 1 entire year period in the air of a high altitude remote site (2367 m above sea level) located in Teide (Tenerife, Canary Islands, 28degreesN16degreesW) in the Eastern North Atlantic region. Twenty samples were collected providing information on the concentrations of these semivolatile organochlorine compounds (SOCs) in the free troposphere since the stable and persistent temperature inversion in the subtropics defines a clear separation from the marine boundary layer. More than 80% of total SOCs were in the gas phase. HCB was the individual SOC in higher concentration, 51 pg m(-3), well above than the other SOCs identified, 1-11 pg m(-3). SUM PCB concentrations were 78 pg m(-3). These concentrations range among the lowest described in atmospheric samples, The collected air originated from four main sectors, high and middle latitudes in the north Atlantic, Europe, and Africa, as determined from isentropic backward air mass trajectories. No significant differences were observed for the concentrations of these compounds between air masses showing a high uniform SOC composition of the free troposphere. Only the more volatile PCB congeners, #18 and #28, exhibited significant differences between air masses from northern and southern latitudes. A seasonal temperature dependence for the less volatile PCB congeners, five or more chlorine subtituents, was also observed. Free tropospheric concentrations of all SOCs except HCB were lower than those measured near sea level for reference. PCB concentrations at the two altitudes exhibited consistent differences according to degree of chlorination. The stronger decrease of the more volatile compounds with altitude might reflect higher photodegradation.