Selected Organochlorine Pesticides in the Atmosphere of Major Indian Cities: Levels, Regional versus Local Variations, and Sources

• DOI: 10.1021/es102029t
• Publication Date: 2010-09-29T19:31:11Z
• Authors: Paromita Chakraborty; Gan Zhang; Jun Li; Yue Xu; Xiang Liu; Shinsuke Tanabe; Kevin C. Jones
• Keywords: Endosulfan; Chlordane; Dicofol; Lindane; HYSPLIT; Hexachlorobenzene

India has extensive production and usage of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) for agriculture vector control. Despite this, few data are available on the levels distribution OCPs in urban atmosphere India. Passive active air sampling was therefore conducted between Dec 2006 March 2007 7 metropolitan cities: New Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Goa, Agra. Concentrations (pg·m−3) were as follows: HCHs 890−17000 (mean: 5400 ± 4110); DDTs 250−6110 (1470 1010); chlordanes 290−5260 (1530 790); endosulfans 240−4650 (1040 610); hexachlorobenzene 120−2890 (790 510). observed appear to be highest reported across globe. Chlordanes lower than from southern China. enabled within- between-city variations assessed. As expected, paired-sample t-test analysis revealed higher regional local variation. Comparisons with limited studies 1989 suggest general declines most regions. γ-HCH dominated HCH signal, reflecting widespread use Lindane India, although isomeric composition Kolkata suggests potential technical use. High o,p′-/p,p′-DDT ratios northern indicate recent DDT usage. HCB industrial areas Delhi ongoing sources. Correlation trans- cis-chlordane implies Endosulfan sulfate generally endosulfan but high values α/β-endosulfan at Mumbai Goa Backward trajectories computed using NOAA HYSPLIT model trace mass history. Result shows local/regional sources within