Chemical pollutants can persist in the environment and be transported over long distances. In Antarctica, they can accumulate along the food chain and cause harmful effects in environmental organisms, posing a risk to the sensitive ecosystems of the region. While the presence of chemical substances in the Arctic has been documented by many studies, there are still few studies for Antarctica. However, these results show that pollutants can be introduced into the Antarctic ecosystems both through long-range transport and direct human activities such as research at Antarctic stations. Persistent chemical pollutants such as per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) have already been detected in Antarctic waters, snow, and ice. Studies also report their accumulation along the Antarctic food chains up to fish, giant petrels, and penguins. Therefore, these pollutants require close monitoring in the ecosystems of the polar regions. Climate change also plays a role, as the melting of snow and ice due to climate change can lead to the release of chemical substances under regulation. Effective and proactive measures are therefore needed to reduce the risk of pollution on the fragile ecosystems of Antarctica. To address these challenges, international cooperation among Antarctic treaty parties and the joint development of a pollution concept are required. By sharing monitoring data and programs, political decisions can be made that lead to stricter environmental regulations and international agreements to curb the release of harmful pollutants.
Objectives
- Developing a comprehensive concept for a polar environmental monitoring program for pollutants in Antarctica
- Analyzing environmental samples from Antarctica to propose a systematic and harmonized data concept for sampling and sample analysis
- Collaborating with the German Environmental Specimen Bank to develop a polar environmental specimen bank
- Compiling the results to inform key international environmental forums and organizations. This will be done through collaboration with the SCAR ImPACT Expert Group, the Stockholm Convention, and the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management
Methods
- Sampling and chemical analysis of abiotic and biotic samples (air, water, snow, fish, krill, etc.)
- Evaluating the data and developing a harmonized concept for pollutant monitoring
- Incorporating the results into chemical policy and regulation
Responsible person
Dr. Anette Küster, Department II 2.3 “Protection of the Polar Regions,” German Federal Environment Agency
Further information
Chemical contamination in the Antarctic | Umweltbundesamt
Developing a concept for a Polar Environmental Monitoring Program | Umweltbundesamt
PFAS in den Polargebieten | Umweltbundesamt
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