Atmospheric Deposition of Legacy and Emerging Persistent Organic Pollutants in Northern Sweden

Abstract: Bulk atmospheric deposition samples using Amberlite IRA- 743 as an absorbent for hydrophobic pollutants were taken every two months for one year at two different locations in northern Sweden. A method was developed for the analysis of various legacy and emerging POPs in these samples based on GC-HRMS. Two current use pesticides and four flame retardants, which have scarcely or never been detected in the arctic, were detected in the samples: trifluralin, chlorothalonil, TBECH, HBB, BTBPE, and Dechlorane Plus. Legacy compounds including isomers of HCH, PCBs, DDT and metabolites, and chlordane related compounds were quantified in levels comparable to similar studies. The method showed reasonable recoveries for all compounds except endosulfan, HBB, BTBPE, lindane, and highly chlorinated PCBs. It is recommended that the method be optimized for the compounds with low recoveries if it is to be used again.