Fate and deposition of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the Bransfield Strait, Antarctica

Abstract

Fifteen polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were detected in seawater and atmosphere of Bransfield Strait. The concentration of ∑15[PAH] in the atmosphere ranged from 3.75 to 8.53 ng m−3, and three-ring PAHs were the most abundant compounds. Dissolved ∑15[PAH] in seawater ranged from 5.42 to 34.37 ng L−1, and the level of PAHs was markedly different on each side of the strait. The air–sea gas exchange process and molecular diagnostic ratios were calculated, results showed that the environmental behavior of PAHs was net deposition along this cruise. Given the changes in global transport routes of pollutants under global warming, the role of long-range transport (LRT) may be enhanced. Taking the Antarctic as a sink of PAHs due to the LRT and net deposition, PAHs will continue to load into the seawater of this area via atmospheric deposition, which contributes to improving our understanding of the environmental behavior of PAHs.