Evidence of human impact in Antarctic region by studying atmospheric aerosols

Elisa Abás; César Marina-Montes; Mariano Laguna; Roberto Lasheras; Patricia Rivas; Pablo Peribáñez; Javier Del Valle; Miguel Escudero; Abrahan Velásquez; Jorge O Cáceres; Luis Vicente Pérez-Arribas; Jesús Anzano

doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.135706

Evidence of human impact in Antarctic region by studying atmospheric aerosols

Chemosphere. 2022 Nov;307(Pt 1):135706. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.135706. Epub 2022 Jul 13.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Laser Laboratory, Chemistry & Environment Group, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of Zaragoza, Plaza S. Francisco S/n, 50009, Zaragoza, Spain. Electronic address: eabas@unizar.es.
² Laser Laboratory, Chemistry & Environment Group, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of Zaragoza, Plaza S. Francisco S/n, 50009, Zaragoza, Spain. Electronic address: cesarmarinamontes@unizar.es.
³ Instituto de Síntesis Química y Catálisis Homogénea, Universidad de Zaragoza-CSIC, Plaza S. Francisco S/n, 50009, Zaragoza, Spain. Electronic address: mlaguna@unizar.es.
⁴ Laser Laboratory, Chemistry & Environment Group, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of Zaragoza, Plaza S. Francisco S/n, 50009, Zaragoza, Spain. Electronic address: rjlasheras@gmail.com.
⁵ Laser Laboratory, Chemistry & Environment Group, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of Zaragoza, Plaza S. Francisco S/n, 50009, Zaragoza, Spain. Electronic address: patri_8_1996@hotmail.com.
⁶ Laser Laboratory, Chemistry & Environment Group, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of Zaragoza, Plaza S. Francisco S/n, 50009, Zaragoza, Spain. Electronic address: 696389@unizar.es.
⁷ Centro Universitario de la Defensa de Zaragoza-AGM, Carretera de Huesca S/n, Zaragoza, Spain. Electronic address: delvalle@unizar.es.
⁸ Department of Applied Physics, University of Zaragoza, Spain. Electronic address: mescu@unizar.es.
⁹ Laser Laboratory, Chemistry & Environment Group, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of Zaragoza, Plaza S. Francisco S/n, 50009, Zaragoza, Spain; Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Universidad Laica Eloy Alfaro de Manabı, Manta, Ecuador. Electronic address: aivf_skate@hotmail.com.
¹⁰ Laser Chemistry Research Group, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Complutense University of Madrid, Plaza de Ciencias a, 28040, Madrid, Spain. Electronic address: jcaceres@ucm.es.
¹¹ Laser Chemistry Research Group, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Complutense University of Madrid, Plaza de Ciencias a, 28040, Madrid, Spain. Electronic address: lvperez@ucm.es.
¹² Laser Laboratory, Chemistry & Environment Group, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of Zaragoza, Plaza S. Francisco S/n, 50009, Zaragoza, Spain. Electronic address: janzano@unizar.es.

PMID: 35842047
DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.135706

Abstract

Air quality is a global concerning topic because of its great impact on the environment and health. Because of that, the study of atmospheric aerosols looking for harmful pollutants is rising, as well as the interest in the origin of the contaminants. Depending on the nature and size of the aerosols, some elements can be detected at a great distance from the emission source, even in Antarctica, where this study is conducted. Several samples of PM filters from 2018 to 2019 (Deception Island) and 2019-2020 (Livingston Island) campaigns have been analyzed by three powerful spectroscopic techniques: FESEM (Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy), LIBS (Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy), and ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry). These techniques have allowed us to find some heavy metals in the air of the Antarctic region (Al, Fe, Ti, Ni, Cr, and Mn). Deeper studies on ICP-MS results have confirmed those results and have also provided information on their potential sources. Thus, while Al, Fe, Ti and Mn concentrations can be explained by crustal origin, Ni and Cr presented high values only coherent with important human contribution. The results point out that the Antarctic region is no longer a clean and isolated environment from human pollution.

Keywords: Antarctic region; Atmospheric aerosols; FESEM; ICP-MS; LIBS; Particulate matter.

MeSH terms

Aerosols / analysis
Air Pollutants* / analysis
Antarctic Regions
Anthropogenic Effects
Environmental Monitoring / methods
Environmental Pollutants* / analysis
Humans
Metals, Heavy* / analysis
Particulate Matter / analysis
Trace Elements* / analysis

Substances

Aerosols
Air Pollutants
Environmental Pollutants
Metals, Heavy
Particulate Matter
Trace Elements