Investigating pop chemicals in ambient air from Fiji Islands

Lal, Vincent V. and Holoubek, I. and Klanova, J. and Aalbersberg, William G.L. and Votadroka, Waisea (2009) Investigating pop chemicals in ambient air from Fiji Islands. Organohalogen Compouds, 71 . pp. 1086-1091. ISSN 1026-4892

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Abstract

There is limited scientific data available on organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) like dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) or Lindane (_-HCH), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) concentrations in ambient air of Fiji Islands. Concentrations of OCPs,
PCBs and PAHs were determined in ambient air from three major metrological stations in Fiji Islands using passive air samplers (PAS) containing polyurethane foam disks (PUF). Generally, total concentrations for OCPs, PCBs and PAHs was low, indicative of a relatively “low contaminated” ambient environment. Concentration ranges of total DDTs, PCBs and _-HCH were 10 – 23 pg m-3, 5 – 53 pg m-3 and 8 -113 pg m- 3, respectively. Noticeably, comparatively higher concentrations for _-HCH were found at Nausori for all sampling seasons. The presence of _-HCH in ambient air from Nausori suggests either recent illegal use of the chemical on nearby farms or emission from river sediment due to increased dredging activity close to the sampling site. Confirmatory tests found relatively higher concentration of Pyrene, Fluoranthene and Phenanthrene towards total PAH (16 EPA) in the ambient samples taken within the vicinity of urban and industrial areas. This is likely from vehicular emissions in addition to small scale industrial emissions.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	Q Science > QD Chemistry
Divisions:	Faculty of Science, Technology and Environment (FSTE) > Institute of Applied Science
Depositing User:	Ms Shalni Sanjana
Date Deposited:	07 May 2009 02:39
Last Modified:	21 Jun 2012 07:05
URI:	https://repository.usp.ac.fj/id/eprint/4549

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