Organic micropollutants in precipitation in Norway

Abstract In 22 samples of snow and rain of known origin and in cross-section samples of snow from Norway, neutral and acidic organic compounds have been determined. A fractionation of components adsorbed on particles and dissolved in the water phase was also carried out. The analysis and identification were performed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Total non-polar organic bound chlorine was determined in some samples by neutron activation analysis. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) were determined separately. A wide range of organic micropollutants has been identified, including alkanes, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, phthalic acid esters, fatty acid ethyl esters, and many chemicals of industrial origin. The content of PCB is a factor 5–10 times higher than observed in sea water. Samples from south Norway contain a larger variety of compounds than those from the north, and the level of many identified compounds is also higher.