AN OVERVIEW OF WET DEPOSITION OF MICROPOLLUTANTS TO THE NORTH-SEA

An overview of the wet deposition of micropollutants (trace metals-Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Hg, Zn-and organic compounds-PAHs, PCBs, pesticides) to the North Sea and adjacent areas is presented. The results of(in)direct measurements of the wet flux are compared to modelling results. Attention is given to specific problems like revolatilization, sea-spray, contamination, gas-to-particle ratios in wet deposition of Hg and the organic substances. Also, the importance of wet deposition is weighted to that of dry deposition and non-atmospheric input routes to the North Sea. It is concluded that-especially for organic micropollutants-current knowledge is insufficient to yield an accurate and detailed image of the impact and importance of wet deposition to the North Sea.