PCB and Organoclorine Pesticides at the Korean Arctic and Antarctic Research Station: Implication for Long-Range Transport

Air samplers for one year at the Korean polar research stations at Ny-Alesund, Norway (2005-2006) and King George Island, Antarctica (2004- 2005) were positioned to assess levels and patterns of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organo-chlorine pesticides (OCPs) in polar regions. The backward trajectories suggested that the Antarctic area was affected by long-range transport from source regions in the southern tip of South America. The results were consistent with the hypothesis of global fractionation and long-range transport. Relatively high levels of PCB-11, averaging 60 pg m-3, suggesting an unusual source of PCB-11 to the Southern Hemisphere were also observed. The difference of concentration in term of ΣPCBs reflects the hemispheric distribution of global PCB emissions; the average level of ΣPCB (excluding three mono CBs and PCB-11) was five times higher in the Arctic (95 pg.m-1 range).