Seminar on Physics and Chemistry of the Atmosphere (Abstract)
Global measurements of persistant organic pollutants (POPs)
Dr. Sönke Lakaschus
Alfred-Wegener-Institut, Bremerhaven
slakaschus@AWI-Bremerhaven.DE
2.11.2001, 13.00 c.t.
Raum N3380
In 1999/2000 air and seawater samples had been collected simultaneously during two RV-Polarstern cruises between Bremerhaven and Neumayer Station (Ekstroem Ice Shelf, 70°S; 8.2°W) and between Bremerhaven and Ny-Ålesund/ Svalbard (79°N; 12°E). The samples had been analyzed for selected persistent organic pollutants (POPs) including PCBs, HCB and HCHs using ion-trap mass spectrometry -gas chromatography. The results of the HCH measurements will be presented at in the seminar. The main goal of the present study was to determine the state of equilibrium that has been reached by the HCHs within the last decade, after the ban of technical HCH in India. Earlier estimates around 1990 may have lost their currency due to the change of the global usage pattern. Secondly, we hoped to establish the time trend of the HCHs in the South Atlantic using archived samples and third we wanted to compare the latitudinal profiles and time trend with model results.