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.

Linking pollutant exposure of humpback whales breeding in the Indian Ocean to their feeding habits and feeding areas off Antarctica

“…5. d 13 C and d 15 N ( 0 / 00 ) values in humpback whales, Megaptera novaeangliae off la Reunion Island (this work) compared to other krill and mammal species from the Antarctic: krill species sampled in Antarctica (black marks), in baleen whales including the fin whale, the minke whale and the southern right whale (green marks), the crabeater seal (orange mark), other marine mammal species from Antarctica such as the killer whale, the leopard seal, the Weddell Seal and the Ross Seal (Burns et al, 1998;Cherel, 2008 Roosens et al, 2007;Vanden Berghe et al, 2013;Wild et al, 2015).…”

Occurrence, bioaccumulation and long-range transport of short-chain chlorinated paraffins on the Fildes Peninsula at King George Island, Antarctica

“…The population density is very low on the Fildes Peninsula, and the stations in Antarctica all have efficient waste treatment systems to minimize their influence on the local ecosystems. Wild et al (2015) studied the influence of scientific stations in Antarctica and found that the levels of PBDEs and perfluoroalkylated substances (PFASs) rapidly decreased within 200-2000 m of the station areas. Our data also showed a sharp decrease (63.1%: from station areas to remote areas) in the concentrations of SCCPs in Agas samples, and therefore, the contamination that originated locally in Antarctica likely had little influence on the areas far from human activities.…”

Physical, chemical, biological and ecotoxicological properties of wastewater discharged from Davis Station, Antarctica

“…The congeners BDE206, BDE47, BDE99, BDE100, BDE153 and BDE154 were also detected and were higher than those of other congeners, indicating that the source may have been the penta-mix PBDE, a commonly used flame retardant additive (Law et al, 2006). A similar congener profile was found in wastewater effluent at Casey, another Australian Station (Wild et al, 2015). The brominated biphenyl BB153 was also found in significant concentrations.…”

“…Our results add to the growing body of evidence that they are likely to be associated with all stations in Antarctica. They have been recorded in high concentrations in sewage sludge and indoor dust at other Antarctic stations, McMurdo Station, Scott Base and Casey Station, and in marine sediments, fish and invertebrates at McMurdo and Casey (Hale et al, 2008;Wild et al, 2015). They leach from commonly used materials such as electronics, furniture textiles and plastic, to which they are incorporated as flame retardants.…”

“…During the period when the McMurdo outfall discharged macerated wastewater, at far greater volumes than Davis, only negligible effects on dissolved oxygen concentrations around the outfall were found (Crockett, 1997). Of greater concern, due to their irreversible or long term impacts, are microbiological hazards, e.g., Hernández et al (2012) and Hughes and Nobbs (2004), such as the introduction of pathogens and non-native species; and toxic contaminants such as PBDEs (Hale et al, 2008;Wild et al, 2015), and metals e.g., Evans et al (2000). These risks are not ameliorated with primary or simple secondary treatment systems.…”