POLYCHLOROBIPHENYLS AND ORGANOCHLORINE PESTICIDES IN THE ATMOSPHERE OF THE FAR EAST RUSSIAN ARCTIC

A. V. Konoplev, V. A. Nikitin, D. P. Samsonov, G. V. Chernik, and A. M. Rychkov

Results of monitoring of polychlorobiphenyls (PCB) and some organochlorine pesticides and their metabolites in the air near the meteorological station Valkarkai (Chukotka) in August—September 2002 are considered. The concentrations are compared with similar concentrations in Amderma and at other Arctic stations of monitoring of persistent organic pollutants (POPs). The contribution of different homologous groups to the total concentration is estimated for PCB. A mean ratio of the hexachlorocyclohexane (HCCH) α- and γ-isomer concentrations is calculated. It is concluded that atmospheric concentrations of some compounds (particularly PCB) far exceed the Arctic background concentrations due to local and regional pollution source impacts.