Biomaterial Database

Spatial distribution of polychlorinated naphthalenes in air over the Great Lakes and air-water gas exchange in Lake Ontario. 2003

Paul A Helm, and Liisa M Jantunen, and Jeff Ridal, and Terry F Bidleman

Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, 200 College St., Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5S 3E5. helmpa@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

High-volume air samples were collected during research cruises of Lake Superior in August 1996 and May 1997 and of Lake Ontario (North America) in July and September 1998 and June 2000 and analyzed for polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs). Levels of tetra- to octachloronaphthalene (sigmaPCN) varied spatially, with mean values (+/-SD) of 1.78 +/- 0.74 and 1.46 +/- 1.07 pg m(-3) for Lake Superior in 1996 and 1997, respectively, and of 5.53 +/- 2.19 and 5.60 +/- 2.24 pg m(-3) for Lake Ontario in 1998 and 2000, respectively. Evaporative sources were predominant, although combustion marker congeners such as tetrachloronaphthalenes 44 and 29 and pentachloronaphthalene 54 were present in most samples and were enhanced relative to technical PCN mixtures. The sigmaPCN concentrations were higher in Lake Ontario samples collected in the western half of the lake and when winds were from the west. Greater proportions of the population and industrial areas are located around the western part of Lake Ontario. Water-air fugacity ratios, calculated from air and water samples collected in June 2000, indicate that the trichloronaphthalenes are volatilizing from Lake Ontario, whereas the tetrachloronaphthalenes are close to equilibrium and the net deposition of tetrachloronaphthalenes can occur when the urban air plume influences levels over the lake.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D009281	Naphthalenes	Two-ring crystalline hydrocarbons isolated from coal tar. They are used as intermediates in chemical synthesis, as insect repellents, fungicides, lubricants, preservatives, and, formerly, as topical antiseptics.
D004784	Environmental Monitoring	The monitoring of the level of toxins, chemical pollutants, microbial contaminants, or other harmful substances in the environment (soil, air, and water), workplace, or in the bodies of people and animals present in that environment.	Monitoring, Environmental,Environmental Surveillance,Surveillance, Environmental
D006114	Great Lakes Region	The geographic area of the Great Lakes in general and when the specific state or states are not indicated. It usually includes Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
D012995	Solubility	The ability of a substance to be dissolved, i.e. to form a solution with another substance. (From McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms, 6th ed)	Solubilities
D014835	Volatilization	A phase transition from liquid state to gas state, which is affected by Raoult's law. It can be accomplished by fractional distillation.	Vaporization,Volatility
D017606	Chlorine Compounds	Inorganic compounds that contain chlorine as an integral part of the molecule.	Chlorine Compounds, Inorganic,Compounds, Chlorine,Compounds, Inorganic Chlorine,Inorganic Chlorine Compounds