title: An Antarctic research station as a source of brominated and perfluorinated persistent organic pollutants to the local environment.
abstract: This study investigated the role of a permanently manned Australian Antarctic research station (Casey Station) as a source of contemporary persistent organic pollutants (POPs) to the local environment. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and poly- and perfluoroalkylated substances (PFASs) were found in indoor dust and treated wastewater effluent of the station. PBDE (e.g., BDE-209 26-820 ng g(-1) dry weight (dw)) and PFAS levels (e.g., PFOS 3.8-2400 ng g(-1) (dw)) in dust were consistent with those previously reported in homes and offices from Australia, reflecting consumer products and materials of the host nation. The levels of PBDEs and PFASs in wastewater (e.g., BDE-209 71-400 ng L(-1)) were in the upper range of concentrations reported for secondary treatment plants in other parts of the world. The chemical profiles of some PFAS samples were, however, different from domestic profiles. Dispersal of chemicals into the immediate marine and terrestrial environments was investigated by analysis of abiotic and biotic matrices. Analytes showed decreasing concentrations with increasing distance from the station. This study provides the first evidence of PFAS input to Polar regions via local research stations and demonstrates the introduction of POPs recently listed under the Stockholm Convention into the Antarctic environment through local human activities.
authors.affiliation: Environmental Futures Research Institute, Griffith School of Environment, Griffith University , 170 Kessels Road, Nathan, QLD 4111, Australia.
authors.forename: Seanan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wild
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: McLagan
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schlabach
authors.forename: Rossana
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bossi
authors.forename: Darryl
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hawker
authors.forename: Roger
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cropp
authors.forename: Catherine K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: King
authors.forename: Jonathan S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Stark
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mondon
authors.forename: Susan Bengtson
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Nash
mesh_terms: D033304:Amphipoda / Q000737:chemistry; D000818:Animals; D000864:Antarctic Regions; D044002:Bryophyta / Q000737:chemistry; D004391:Dust / Q000032:analysis; D004777:Environment; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000032:analysis; D055768:Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers / Q000032:analysis*; D054879:Halogenation; D015386:Hazardous Substances / Q000032:analysis*; D006845:Hydrocarbons, Fluorinated / Q000032:analysis*; D008011:Lichens / Q000737:chemistry; D010473:Perciformes; D010839:Phytoplankton / Q000737:chemistry; D012106:Research; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis; D062065:Wastewater / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D004391:Dust; D055768:Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers; D015386:Hazardous Substances; D006845:Hydrocarbons, Fluorinated; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D062065:Wastewater; C010902:decabromobiphenyl ether