Pollutants present in different components of the Svalbard archipelago environment / Zanieczyszczenia obecne w różnych komponentach środowiska archipelagu Svalbard

Abstract

Abstract:During last years an interest in the processes of transport and fate of pollutants to the polar regions located distantly from industrial centers, has significantly increased. The current analytical techniques enabling conducting studies prove that the Arctic regions (in the past considered as a pollution free area) have become an area of highly intensive anthropopresion. Svalbard archipelago stands out from the other polar regions due to its specific environmental conditions and geographic location, which results in becoming a reservoir of contamination in this area. Systematic environmental monitoring of arctic regions is extremely important due to an unique opportunity of observing a direct impact of pollution on the ongoing processes in the area of interest. In this way measurement data obtained are a valuable source of information, not only on changes occurring in the Arctic ecosystem, but also on estimated global impact of certain xenobiotics present in the environment. Furthermore, qualitative and quantitative studies on particular chemicals deposited in different regions of the Arctic ecosystem may constitute the basis for undertaking actions aimed at preventing negative effects caused by these pollutants.

Contamination of Arctic Lakes with Persistent Toxic PAH Substances in the NW Part of Wedel Jarlsberg Land (Bellsund, Svalbard)

“…In recent years, the number of studies proving that the Arctic is no longer a pristine environment free from anthropogenic pollution has increased [2,5,6]. Wet and dry deposition of atmospheric pollutants coming from both local sources and from transboundary transport from Eurasia and North America, is one of the main factors shaping the hydrochemistry of Arctic surface water [15,43,44,47].…”

“…Longyearbyen is mostly influenced by tourism and research activities, while Ny-Alesund changed its role from coal mining to a research station. In Barentsburg and Sveagruva there are coal mines, of which the Sveagruva mine is the main one on Spitsbergen [2].…”

“…Global atmospheric circulation and individual properties of the natural environment of the Arctic make it a recipient of pollutants emitted in urbanised and industrialised areas at lower latitudes (North America, Eurasia) [1,2]. A report by experts of the Arctic Monitoring Assessment Program (AMAP) draws particular attention to the problem of Long-Range Transport of Atmospheric Pollutants (LRTAP) from Eurasia and North America to the Arctic.…”

“…Moreover, they emphasise the strong need to supplement data on concentrations of, among others, Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the surface waters of the Arctic [3]. Due to the intensification of human activity in Eurasia, increasing quantities of harmful chemical compounds reach the Arctic as a result of LRTAP [1,2]. Thus far, the presence of such pollutants as heavy metals (e.g., Pb and Hg), radioactive isotopes and numerous organic compounds (e.g., pesticides, PAHs, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)) has been detected in the Arctic.…”

Short-term monitoring of Arctic trace metal contamination based on Cetrariella delisei bioindicator in Svalbard

“…The transport of new pollutants may increase the levels of natural trace metals resulting from local geology [3]. The accumulation of trace metals may occur directly through atmospheric deposition [4,5] and indirectly through the influence of marine aerosols, windblown dust, and water from melting snow and glaciers [2,[6][7][8][9][10].…”