Contaminants of emerging concern in Antarctica

Abstract

A holistic investigation of legacy persistent organic pollutants and contaminants of emerging concern was conducted for 14 biota samples collected from Antarctica between 2018 and 2020. The sample set included sea stars, sea urchins, macrophytes, fish muscle, seal muscle and placenta, and penguin muscle and eggs. The four Water Framework Directive heavy metals (lead, cadmium, nickel, and mercury) were present in all samples. Organophosphorus flame retardants and brominated flame retardants were detected sporadically at low concentration levels (below 0.7 ng/g ww). Isomers of Dechlorane Plus were not detected (< 0.01 ng/g ww). In contrast, dioxins, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and polychlorinated bisphenols (PCBs) were frequently detected. The highest concentration was observed for PCBs, specifically PCB118 (up to 2,478 ng/g ww) and PCB105 (up to 977 ng/g ww). Wide-scope target screening of 2,236 compounds and suspect screening of 65,591 compounds were performed. Thirty-three contaminants from various chemical classes were detected through wide-scope target screening, of which 42% were pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) and 30% were industrial chemicals (ICs) and their transformation products. An additional 55 compounds were identified through suspect screening, with PPCPs and ICs each accounting for 26 compounds. Most of the identified compounds are registered as REACH substances by the European Chemicals Agency, with some produced in very high volumes, exceeding 1,000,000 tonnes. Contaminant levels in Antarctic biota samples were lower than those reported in similar European studies, such as those conducted in the Danube River Basin.

Keywords

Contaminants of emerging concern / polar regions / Antarctica / target screening / suspect screening / environmental risk assessment

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