Monitoring of persistent organic pollutants in the ambient air as an element of implementation of the Stockholm Convention on persistent organic pollutants

The results of monitoring of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in the atmosphere of the Russian Arctic are presented. The concentrations of POPs in different regions of the Russian and foreign Arctic are compared. It was revealed that the concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) are higher in the Northern Chukotka (Valkarkai) as compared to that at the other Russian stations (Amderma and Dunay) and foreign global POPs monitoring stations. The composition of PCB congeners in the air of the Arctic Chukotka turned out to be different from that observed at the other monitoring stations, being similar to commercial PCBs mixtures. In contrast to observations at most of the global POPs monitoring stations, monitoring in the Far East Russian Arctic has revealed increased levels of PCBs in the air for the last 6–8 years. The levels of DDT in the past 6–8 years have remained virtually unchanged, whereas those hexachlorocyclohexane have decreased somewhat. It was shown that polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are ubiquitous and are found in significant quantities in the air in both the central cities (Moscow, Obninsk) and remote locations (Arkhangelsk, Amderma, Valkarkai). The gas phase contains largely more volatile low-brominated DEs, while atmospheric aerosols contain predominantly highly brominated congeners. The indoor air at all sampling locations contained substantially higher concentrations of PBDEs as compared to the atmospheric air. Priorities for the establishment of a national system for monitoring of POPs within the framework of the Stockholm Convention on POPs control are proposed.