title: Unexpected occurrence of volatile dimethylsiloxanes in Antarctic soils, vegetation, phytoplankton, and krill.
abstract: Volatile methyl siloxanes (VMS) are high-production synthetic compounds, ubiquitously found in the environment of source regions. Here, we show for the first time the occurrence of VMS in soils, vegetation, phytoplankton, and krill samples from the Antarctic Peninsula region, which questions previous claims that these compounds are "flyers" and do not significantly reach remote ecosystems. Cyclic VMS are the predominant compounds, with concentrations ranging from the limits of detection to 110 ng/g in soils. Concentrations of cyclic VMS in phytoplankton are negatively correlated with sea surface salinity, indicating a source from ice and snow melting and consistent with snow depositional inputs. After the summer snow melting, VMS accumulate in the Southern Ocean and Antarctic biota. Therefore, once introduced into the marine environment, VMS are eventually trapped by the biological pump and, thus, behave as "single hoppers". Conversely, VMS in soils and vegetation behave as "multiple hoppers" due to their high volatility.
authors: †Water and Soil Quality Research Group, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), C/JordiGirona, 18-26, 08034, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
authors: Josep
authors: J
authors: Sanchís
authors: †Water and Soil Quality Research Group, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), C/JordiGirona, 18-26, 08034, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
authors: Ana
authors: A
authors: Cabrerizo
authors: †Water and Soil Quality Research Group, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), C/JordiGirona, 18-26, 08034, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
authors: Cristóbal
authors: C
authors: Galbán-Malagón
authors: †Water and Soil Quality Research Group, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), C/JordiGirona, 18-26, 08034, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.|∥Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), H2O Building, Scientific and Technological Park of the University of Girona, Emili Grahit 101, 17003 Girona, Catalonia, Spain.
authors: Damià
authors: D
authors: Barceló
authors: †Water and Soil Quality Research Group, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), C/JordiGirona, 18-26, 08034, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
authors: Marinella
authors: M
authors: Farré
authors: †Water and Soil Quality Research Group, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), C/JordiGirona, 18-26, 08034, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
authors: Jordi
authors: J
authors: Dachs
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000864:Antarctic Regions; D044002:Bryophyta / Q000737:chemistry; D004129:Dimethylpolysiloxanes / Q000032:analysis*; D017753:Ecosystem; D004777:Environment; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000032:analysis; D033201:Euphausiacea / Q000737:chemistry*; D008011:Lichens / Q000737:chemistry*; D010839:Phytoplankton / Q000737:chemistry*; D010944:Plants / Q000737:chemistry*; D006109:Poaceae / Q000737:chemistry; D012621:Seasons; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D004129:Dimethylpolysiloxanes; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D012987:Soil