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Wet deposition of persistent organic pollutants to the global oceans.

Research output: Contribution to Journal/MagazineJournal articlepeer-review

Published
  • Elena Jurado
  • Foday Jaward
  • Rainer Lohmann
  • Kevin C. Jones
  • Rafel Simó
  • Jordi Dachs
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<mark>Journal publication date</mark>15/04/2005
<mark>Journal</mark>Environmental Science and Technology
Issue number8
Volume39
Number of pages10
Pages (from-to)2426-2435
Publication StatusPublished
<mark>Original language</mark>English

Abstract

Wet deposition fluxes of polychlorinated biphenyls and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans to the Atlantic Ocean have been estimated by combining meteorological satellite data and measured atmospheric field concentra tions. They are then compared to other atmospheric depositional mechanisms on a global scale. Additional features not treated in traditional studies are addressed such as contaminant adsorption onto raindrops and enhancement of dry gaseous diffusive fluxes due to rain-induced turbulence. Wet deposition estimates show a high spatial and seasonal variability, with maxima located in the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) and in low-temperature regions. Seasonal variability reflects the northward shift of ITCZ in July. Average wet deposition fluxes estimated for the Atlantic Ocean in this study are 110 and 45 ng m-2 yr-1 for ΣPCB and ΣPCDD/Fs, respectively. Furthermore, the total wet deposition to the Atlantic results in 4100 kg yr-1 (ΣPCB) and 2500 kg yr-1 (ΣPCDD/Fs). Model validation shows good agreement with available coastal data measurements of wet deposition fluxes. When compared to other atmospheric depositional mechanisms and during precipitation events, wet deposition is found to be dominant. However, when raining events and non-raining time periods are integrated, air−water diffusive exchange fluxes acquire an important role, which can be dominant in some regions and for some POPs.