Abstract
Continuous atmospheric sampling was conducted between 2010–2015 at Casey station in Wilkes Land, Antarctica, and throughout 2013 at Troll Station in Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica. Sample extracts were analyzed for polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and the naturally converted brominated compound, 2,4,6-Tribromoanisole, to explore regional profiles. This represents the first report of seasonal resolution of PBDEs in the Antarctic atmosphere, and we describe conspicuous differences in the ambient atmospheric concentrations of brominated compounds observed between the two stations. Notably, levels of BDE-47 detected at Troll station were higher than those previously detected in the Antarctic or Southern Ocean region, with a maximum concentration of 7800 fg/m3. Elevated levels of penta-formulation PBDE congeners at Troll coincided with local building activities and subsided in the months following completion of activities. The latter provides important information for managers of National Antarctic Programs for preventing the release of persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic substances in Antarctica.
Highlights
The published data concerning Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in the Antarctic atmosphere reveals a number of limitations characteristic of POP research in the region, and which have previously been discussed in the literature [30,31]
We describe the dramatic differences in ambient atmospheric levels of PBDEs observed between the two stations
Atmospheric monitoring in the Australian Antarctic Territory was performed with a High Flow Through Passive Air Sampler (HFPAS) developed for measuring trace contaminant levels encountered in remote regions (Figure S2) [31,37]
Summary
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. The published data concerning PBDEs in the Antarctic atmosphere reveals a number of limitations characteristic of POP research in the region, and which have previously been discussed in the literature [30,31] They have been derived from predominantly short, one-off sampling campaigns, with an evident strong spatial bias across the continent. Data are collected from the core matrices of ambient air, human breastmilk, and blood, in addition to surface water for water-soluble POPs. the human matrices monitored under the GMP are not applicable in Antarctica due to the absence of a subsisting human population, the detection of chemicals in the Antarctic atmosphere and surface waters can provide unique insight into hemispheric chemical usage patterns and the global reach of chemical emissions. Of the Antarctic Treaty related to release of prohibited substances in Antarctica
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