Airborne organochlorines in the Canadian High Arctic

In 1984, the Canadian Polar Continental Shelf Project established a research camp on a floating ice island in the Beaufort Sea. The 7 - 4 km island is presently located about 50 km off Ellesmere Island at about 81°N, 100°W. Air samples of 1400—3000 m³ were collected on the island in August-September 1986 and June 1987, using a filter-solid adsorbent train. Organochlorines in melted snow and Arctic Ocean surface water were preconcentrated using solid adsorbent cartridges. Samples were analyzed by capillary gas chromatography with electron capture detection, and by capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in the negative ion and electron impact modes. Compounds quantified included hexachlorocyclohexanes, hexachlorobenzene, polychlorinated camphenes, chlordane, polychlorinated biphenyls, and DDT compounds (given in order of relative abundance, highest to lowest). Air-sea partitioning of HCH isomers relative to their equilibrium distribution calculated from Henry's Law constants is discussed.