Distribution of organochlorine pesticides in surface and deep waters of the Southern Indian Ocean and coastal Antarctic waters

Abstract

Antarctica is a remote and pristine region. Yet it plays a vital role in biogeochemical cycles of global anthropogenic contaminants, such as persistent organic pollution (POPs). This work reports the distribution of legacy and new POPs in surface and depth profiles/deeper water of the Southern Indian Ocean (SIO) and the coast of Antarctica (COA). Samples were collected during the 10th Indian Southern Ocean expedition (SOE-10) in the year 2017. Concentrations of ∑HCH (hexachlorocyclohexane), ∑DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane), and ∑ENDO (endosulfan) in surface seawater from the SIO region ranged between not detected (ND) to 1.21 pg/Liter (pg L−1) (average. ± s.d.: 0.35 ± 0.42 pg L−1), ND to 1.83 pg L−1 (0.69 ± 84 pg L−1), and ND - to 2.06 pg L−1 (0.56 ± 0., 88 pg L−1), respectively. The concentrations of ∑HCH, ∑DDT, and ∑ENDO in COA ranged from ND to 0.98 pg L−1 (0.25 ± 0.27 pg L−1), ND to 3.61 pg L−1(0.50 ± 1.08 pg L−1), and ND to 2.09 pg L−1 (0.45 ± 0.84 pg L−1), respectively. Concentrations of isomers of endosulfan, and largely of HCHs, suggested an aged source. Some concentration ratios of α-to γ-HCH were close to 1, indicating a contribution from ongoing sources. Results indicate the important role of ocean currents in mediating the transport and detection of OCPs. As such, OCPs dynamics in deeper oceans may play an important role in OCPs cycling in the marine environment.