Occurrence, composition and possible sources of persistent organic substances in Kongsfjorden, west Spitsbergen, Svalbard

Abstract

Persistent organic pollutants were widely distributed in the Arctic environment. The congener/isomer patterns of each chemical group showed that relatively volatile congener/isomer such as -HCH, trans-nonachlor, and low-chlorinated PCBs is dominant. This is the evidence of long-range transport of these contaminants. Organic content in the sediments governs the retention and distribution of the compounds in Kongsfjorden.An enhanced PAH concentration was detected at the research station.This indicates that the operation of Arctic research station is likely to be a local source of certain chemicals in the arctic environment. Low molecular weight PAHs such as naphthalene and phenanthrene were dominant in all multi-media samples measured. The PAHs fingerprints, especially patterns of C1-phenanthrene in soils, sediments, seawater particles from Ny-Ålsund showed similar patterns with that of coal samples collected from Arctic base. Therefore, it could be conclude that the major sources of PAHs in Ny-Ålsund are thought to be strongly affected by the remains of coal mining activities.