Relationship between the Surface Air Temperature and Persistent Organic Pollutants in the Russian Arctic Atmosphere

V. A. Nikitin, A. V. Konoplev, and A. A. Bulgakov

We consider the relationships between reciprocal surface air temperature (K–1) and the natural logarithm of partial vapor pressures (Pa) of polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs) and certain organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and their metabolites in the air of Amderma. It is shown that in the summertime the PCB concentrations in the atmosphere are principally under the influence of their evaporation from the underlying surface. The conclusion is drawn that concentrations of most OCPs and their metabolites during sampling are related to long-rang atmospheric transport. The results obtained are compared with the data from several Arctic stations monitoring persistent organic pollutants and with results of similar investigations in the regions of moderately cold climate.