Vapor-phase and particulate-associated pesticides and PCB concentrations in eastern North Dakota air samples

Journal Article · Wed May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1996 · Journal of Environmental Quality

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2134/jeq1996.00472425002500030027x· OSTI ID:380985

Hawthorne, S B; Miller, D J; Louie, P K.K. ^[1]

---

1. Univ. of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND (United States); and others

Vapor-phase and suspended particulate (<50 {mu}m) samples were collected on polyurethane foam (PUF) and quartz fiber filters in rural North Dakota to determine the air concentrations of pesticides in an area where agriculture is a primary source of semivolatile pollutants. Samples were collected at two sites from 1992 to 1994 that were at least 0.4 km from the nearest farmed fields and known application of pesticides, and analyzed for 22 different organochlorine, triazine, and acid herbicide pesticides. Fourteen pesticides were found above the detection limits (typically <1 pg/m{sup 3}). Concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners were much lower (<50 pg/m{sup 3} in all cases) than many of the pesticides. These results demonstrate that pesticides are among the most prevalent chlorinated semivolatile pollutants present in rural North Dakota, that significant transport of pesticides occurs both in the vapor-phase and on suspended particulate matter, and that blown soil may be a significant mechanism for introducing pesticides into surface and ground waters. 32 refs., 2 figs., 4 tabs.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 380985
• Journal Information: Journal of Environmental Quality, Journal Name: Journal of Environmental Quality Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 25; ISSN JEVQAA; ISSN 0047-2425
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AIR POLLUTION
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
EVAPORATION
ORGANIC CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
PARTICULATES
PESTICIDES
TRIAZINES
VOLATILITY