Fate of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the Pacific sector of the Arctic Ocean based on a level III fugacity environmental multimedia model

Guangshui Na; Jiandong Ye; Ruijing Li; Hui Gao; Shuaichen Jin; Yunze Gao; Chao Hou; Jiajin Huang

doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112195

Fate of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the Pacific sector of the Arctic Ocean based on a level III fugacity environmental multimedia model

Mar Pollut Bull. 2021 May:166:112195. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112195. Epub 2021 Mar 18.

Authors

Guangshui Na¹, Jiandong Ye², Ruijing Li³, Hui Gao³, Shuaichen Jin³, Yunze Gao⁴, Chao Hou⁴, Jiajin Huang²

Affiliations

¹ College of Marine Ecology and Environment, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China; National Marine Environmental Monitoring Center, Dalian 116023, China; Hainan Tropical Ocean University, Sanya 572022, China. Electronic address: gsna@nmemc.org.cn.
² College of Marine Ecology and Environment, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China; National Marine Environmental Monitoring Center, Dalian 116023, China.
³ National Marine Environmental Monitoring Center, Dalian 116023, China.
⁴ College of Marine Ecology and Environment, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China.

PMID: 33744801
DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112195

Abstract

The sink-source controversy for global polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in high-latitude seas is extremely concerning. A level III fugacity model was developed for the southern Chukchi Sea to estimate the fate of 16 priority PAHs. The model results indicate large losses were due to seawater advection outflow, followed by degradation in seawater. The Chukchi Sea serves as a source of 4 PAHs (i.e., Nap, Ace, Acp and Fl) in the atmosphere and sediment but acts as a final sink for the other 12 PAHs. The water-air diffusion flux and wet deposition flux play dominant roles in the total transfer flux of the 4 PAHs and the other 12 PAHs, respectively. The source/sink role that high-latitude seas play in PAH distribution has changed under the influence of global climate change. The model proposed in this study provides an approach to support further study of the fate of PAHs in high-latitude seas.

Keywords: Arctic; Level III fugacity model; Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; Source/sink role.

MeSH terms

Arctic Regions
Environmental Monitoring
Multimedia
Oceans and Seas
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons* / analysis

Substances

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons