An Attempt to Measure the Flow of Chlorinated Hydrocarbons, such as PCBs, from Water to Air in the Field

A field sampling device to study the transport of aromatic, persistent chlorinated hydrocarbons from water to air was constructed. It was tested in large, outdoor artificial ponds contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The PCB compounds volatilised to air at a rate of 0·9 to 9·6 ng m−2 h−1 depending on levels of PCBs in the water and water temperature