Even in the remote polar regions pollution is rising. The presence of legacy and emerging organic contaminants in the polar regions have become significant concerns of the scientific communities and stakeholders because they can damage ecosystems and ultimately human health. We are investigating the occurrence of legacy and emerging organic contaminants and their long-range transport processes via the atmosphere and oceanic currents to the polar regions. For this, various data are collected from research observatories and expedition cruises.
We attempt to identify and assess emerging organic contaminants in the polar regions for future monitoring programs. This includes simulations of physical transport and interface interaction of legacy and emerging organic contaminants in the polar regions. The integrated assessment will help decision makers to improve environmental management and to develop effective chemical management policies.
Research topics
- Long-range transport of legacy and emerging organic contaminants in the polar regions
- Environmental cycle of legacy and emerging organic contaminants in the polar regions
- Environmental fates of organic contaminants under the impact of climate change
- Simulating the transport of organic contaminants from sources to the polar regions
Methods
- Arctic and Antarctica monitoring stations and research vessels are utilized as platforms for sampling organic chemicals in different environmental matrices of the polar regions
- Target and nontarget analysis for legacy and emerging organic contaminants
- Modeling
Responsible person
Dr. Zhiyong Xie, Institute of Coastal Environmental Chemistry, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon
Projects we participate in
NECCTON
New Copernicus capability for trophic ocean networks
ePOPARCTIC
Long-term investigation of emerging persistent organic pollutants in the Arctic
EISPAC
Effects of ice-associated stressors and pollutants on the Arctic marine cryosphere
iCUPE
Integrative and Comprehensive Understanding of Polar Environments