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Chlorinated Organic Contaminants in the Atmosphere

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Organic Contaminants in the Environment

Part of the book series: Environmental Management Series ((EMISS,volume 19))

Abstract

Scientists have studied atmospheric pollutants for a long time. Beginning in the 18th century, English physicians were concerned with high levels of soot in the atmosphere. Gradually, interest shifted from visible atmospheric pollutants to invisible pollutants, such as the sulfur and nitrogen oxides. The environmental effects of these ‘classic’ pollutants were often obvious. Pea soup fogs in London and vegetation kills around SO2 smelters were common. Gradually, interest shifted from pollutants present in the atmosphere at part per million levels to those present at lower levels. For example, chlorofluorocarbons, although present at only a few hundred parts per trillion by volume (10-12 parts, abbreviated as pptv), cause ozone depletion in the stratosphere. Other organic compounds are present in the atmosphere at even lower levels. Poly chlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), for example, are present at levels of 0·1–1 pptv. Nevertheless, even these levels result in the contamination of fish and water fowl.

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  1. Laurel J. Standley

    Present address: Stroud Water Research Center, Academy of Natural Sciences, Avondale, Pennsylvania, 19311-512, USA

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  1. School of Public and Environmental Affairs and Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, 47405, USA

    Laurel J. Standley & Ronald A. Hites

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  1. Laurel J. Standley
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  2. Ronald A. Hites
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA14YQ, UK

    K. C. Jones

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© 1991 Elsevier Science Publishers Ltd

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Standley, L.J., Hites, R.A. (1991). Chlorinated Organic Contaminants in the Atmosphere. In: Jones, K.C. (eds) Organic Contaminants in the Environment. Environmental Management Series, vol 19. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-4329-2_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-4329-2_1

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-8424-6

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