Hexachlorocyclohexane Gas Exchange in South Atlantic and Antarctic Waters

Alpha-HCH concentrations in air and surface water were found to be significantly lower than in Arctic regions, reflecting historically lower pesticide usage in the Southern Hemisphere. The dataset captures measurements from a 1997-1998 expedition between South Africa and Antarctica's SANAE Base, conducted by the SCIOPS organization. It includes fugacity ratios indicating net deposition conditions and an analysis of enantiomeric fractionation.

Use Cases

• Analyze spatial distribution of α-HCH concentrations in air and surface water across the sampled transect.
• Investigate water/air fugacity ratios to determine net direction of gas exchange (deposition vs. volatilization).
• Study enantiomeric fractionation data to assess enantioselective microbial degradation of α-HCH in seawater.
• Compare α-HCH concentration levels in the Southern Hemisphere with known Arctic data to evaluate hemispheric usage patterns.
• Model the bidirectional nature of gas exchange using paired air and water boundary layer isomer measurements.

Strengths

• Data collected during a dedicated scientific expedition between November 1997 and February 1998.
• Provides a direct comparison of α-HCH levels between the Southern and Arctic hemispheres.
• Includes analysis of enantiomeric fractionation, a specific feature for studying biodegradation processes.

Limitations

• Limited temporal coverage from a single expedition over approximately four months.
• Geographic scope is restricted to a specific transect between South Africa and Antarctica.
• Sample size and specific row/column counts are unknown, potentially limiting statistical power.

Provenance

Source

SCIOPS, accessed via NASA EarthData.

Collection Method

Air and water samples collected between South Atlantic Ocean (South Africa) and Antarctica SANAE Base (70°S, 3°E).

Time Range

November 1997 to February 1998.

Freshness

Data is from 1998, representing a historical snapshot.

Geography

South Atlantic Ocean to Antarctica (SANAE Base at 70°S, 3°E).