Occurrence and fugacity model simulation of organophosphate esters in atmosphere-soil-vegetation, Fildes peninsula, Antarctica

Abstract

The harsh natural environment of Antarctica has led to a lack of research on the presence and transport mechanisms of organophosphate esters (OPEs) within its ecosystem. In this study, we analyzed levels of 11 OPEs in air, soil, and vegetation samples collected during the 2018–2019 Chinese 35th Antarctic Scientific Expedition. Additionally, a level III fugacity model was developed to simulate the movement and fate of detected OPEs in the air, soil, and vegetation of the Fildes Peninsula. Our model indicated that the primary OPE-migration pathway was from the atmosphere to the soil. OPE transportation primarily occurred through atmospheric wet deposition and rainwater dissolution. Among the 20 transport and transformation processes, atmospheric degradation was the most significant loss mechanism. The proposed model provides a method for continued investigation into the fate of OPEs in the Fildes Peninsula ecosystem.