Great Lakes Atmospheric Trends of Polychlorinated Biphenyls and Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers

Session: Chemical Monitoring and Surveillance in the Great Lakes: Multimedia (2)

Derek Ager, USEPA Region 5 Great Lakes National Program Office, [email protected]
Amina Salamova, Indiana University, [email protected]
Marta Venier, Indiana University, [email protected]
Ronald Hites, Indiana University, [email protected]

Abstract

With their large surface areas, the Great Lakes are susceptible to the deposition of toxic pollutants from the air.  Over the last 28 years, the Integrated Atmospheric Deposition Network (IADN) has been measuring the atmospheric deposition of several persistent toxic organic compounds.  Here we will present air concentration trends of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardants in vapor and particulate phases.  IADN monitors these toxics at six sites across the Great Lakes, providing status and trends for the entire basin.  The concentrations of both the PCBs and the PBDEs have been decreasing over the last several years.  The presentation will also look at congener profiles and how they have changed temporally and spatially.