DDT in Antarctic Snow

Organohalide respiration in pristine environments: implications for the natural halogen cycle

“…Similarly, grape pomace compost without prior exposure to chlorinated solvents was discovered to harbour a member of the genus Dehalogenimonas (Table 1). However, complete lack of exposure to anthropogenic organohalogens cannot be fully excluded in these environments, e.g., due to widespread distribution of halogenated pesticides and other organohalides (Carson, 1962;Sladen et al, 1966;Peterle, 1969).…”

Manmade organic compounds in the surface waters of the United States; a review of current understanding

“…Shackelford and Keith (1976) documented the occurrence of 1,258 organic compounds in 5,720 observations in 33 water types from 1970 to 1976. Gilliam (1985) reported the detection of one or more pesticides in almost 20 percent of sediment samples collected from more than 150 river sites in the United States .. Residues of persistent organochlorine compounds have been detected around the world, including in antarctic snow (Peterle, 1969) and fish from depths of 2,500 m in the Atlantic Ocean (Barber and Warlen, 1979).…”

Persistent Organic Pollutants

“…Nevertheless, in the late 1960s evidence of PCB and DDT contamination of Antarctic wildlife was reported by Sladen et a/ (1966); George and Frear, (1966) and Risebrough et a/ (1968). DDT was also discovered in snow samples providing evidence for longrange atmospheric transport to this region (Peterle, 1969). With the improvement of analytical techniques more detailed studies were carried out in the early 1980s, particularly in assessing seawater and atmospheric samples in order to understand transport pathways and compound distribution .…”

“…However, a decrease in levels of PCBs, and consequently most certainly of dioxins, have been observed in Baltic herring in the period 1969(Bignert et al 1994. Despite decreasing levels it is of importance to follow the levels and time trends of dioxins and dioxin-related compounds in food, and of estimated intake, also in the future.…”