Hexachlorocyclohexanes in the Canadian Archipelago. 1. Spatial Distribution and Pathways of α-, β-, and γ-HCHs in Surface Water

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Abstract
Hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs) in the surface water of the Canadian Archipelago and south Beaufort Sea were measured in summer, 1999. Overall concentrations of HCH isomers were in order of abundance: α-HCH (3.5 ± 1.2 ng L-1) > γ-HCH (0.31 ± 0.07 ng L-1) > β-HCH (0.10 ± 0.03 ng L-1). Concentrations and ratios of α-HCH/γ-HCH decreased significantly (p < 0.001 to 0.003) from west to east, but there was no significant variation in α-HCH/ β-HCH. The (+) enantiomer of α-HCH was preferentially degraded, with enantiomer fractions (EFs) ranging from 0.432−0.463 and increasing significantly (p < 0.001) from west to east. Concentrations also varied latitudinally for α-HCH and γ-HCH (p < 0.002) but not for β-HCH. Principal component analysis with variables α-HCH and γ-HCH concentrations, EF, latitude, and longitude accounted for 71% (PC 1) and 16% (PC 2) of the variance. Mixing in the eastern Archipelago was modeled by assuming three end members with characteristic concentrations of α-HCH and γ-HCH. The model accounted for the observed concentrations and higher EFs of α-HCH at the eastern stations.

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