Field validation of a novel passive air sampler and monitoring of semivolatile organic pollutants in the remote marine and continental boundary layer

Passive air sampling allows spatially high resolved study designs and access to truly remote sites, but determination of the sampling efficiency, especially that of the particulate phase remains challenging. In this work, we present a self-directional passive air sampler which relies on the Venturi principle to enhance the sample air flow and to efficiently collect the air gas and particulate phases. Sample air flow rates ranged 1–13 m 3 d −1 depending on wind speed. The sampler was validated by side-by-side sampling with active air samplers at a central European continental site and a Caribbean coastal site. The sampler is found suitable for monitoring organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) at trace concentrations in the remote environment (mostly 0.1–1 pg m −3 concentration range). For some OCPs these levels are among the lowest concentrations in air ever reported. The vertical distribution of polycyclic aromatic compounds, OCPs and PCBs at the rural continental site is found determined by advection in the planetary boundary layer during most seasons. • Passive air sampler with enhanced sample air flow. • Vertical distribution of POPs at continental site determined by long-range transport. • Extremely low cyclodiene pesticides levels measured in marine background air.