Local-scale contaminants and soil properties database, MS3 ILLUQ WP1, CNR

The data collection represents a comprehensive environmental monitoring effort tracking local-scale contaminants and physicochemical properties in Arctic soil and sediment cores (covering both the active layer and permafrost). The collection is divided into five distinct parts based on the target chemical classes and physical parameters analyzed. Each sample is systematically tracked by its geographic campaign context (Campaign, Site_area, Transect_name, Sampling_site), physical profile (Top_depth, Bottom_depth, AL_depth), and a field observation description (e.g., distinguishing whether it originates from organic soil horizons or underlying permafrost). In addition, all the sites are georeferenced by the Sampled_plots_ILLUQ24CA.gpkg attached. Here is a brief description of each part of the data collection: 1. Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH_24.csv) Focus: This part quantifies 24 different Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in nanograms per gram [ng/gr]. PAHs are organic compounds primarily generated via incomplete combustion of organic matter, fossil fuels, or forest fires. Key Compounds Analyzed: Includes low-to-high molecular weight PAHs such as Naphthalene, Acenaphthylene, Phenanthrene, Fluoranthene, Pyrene, Chrysene, and Benzo(a)pyrene, alongside specific markers like Retene (often associated with wood combustion). 2. Bisphenols (Bisphenols.csv) Focus: This dataset measures concentrations [ng/g] of bisphenols, which are synthetic chemical compounds predominantly utilized as plasticizers in plastic manufacturing. Key Compounds Analyzed: Tracks common plastic additives and their alternatives, specifically BPA (Bisphenol A), BPAF (Bisphenol AF), BPF (Bisphenol F), BPAP (Bisphenol AP), and BPS (Bisphenol S). This highlights potential plastic pollution or atmospheric deposition of microplastic-associated additives. 3. Benzothiazoles (BTH.csv) Focus: This part tracks Benzothiazoles (BTH) and their degradation products/derivatives [ng/g]. Benzothiazoles are high-production-volume chemicals widely used as vulcanization accelerators in rubber production (e.g., vehicle tires), as well as in corrosion inhibitors and biocides. Key Compounds Analyzed: Quantifies the parent compound BTH along with multiple derivatives, such as BTH-MeS, BTH-NH2, BTH-OH, BTH-SCNMeS, BTH-SH, and BTH-SO3H. 4. Polar Pesticides and Small Organics (Pesticides.csv) Focus: This sheet details concentrations ($ ext{ng/g}$) of modern polar pesticides, herbicides, and related inorganic/small organic indicators. Key Compounds Analyzed: * Herbicides and metabolites: GLY (Glyphosate) and its degradation product N-Ac AMPA, Ethephon, and Ethephon-OH. Inorganic ions and other tracers: Fos-Al (Fosetyl-aluminium), Ph acid (Phosphonic acid), Chlorate, Perchlorate, and Cyanuric acid (a stabilizer used in outdoor chemical treatments/disinfectants). 5. Physicochemical Characteristics (Foglio1.csv) Focus: Instead of tracing organic micro-contaminants, this final dataset establishes the baseline physical, elemental, and isotopic characteristics of each unique sample ID. This metadata is essential for normalizing and understanding the behavior, binding capacity, and accumulation profiles of the contaminants described in the other sheets. Key Parameters Analyzed: Physical: Wet weight [g], dry weight [g], and moisture content [%]. Elemental and mercury: Hg [µg/kg] (Total Mercury concentration), TOC [%] (Total Organic Carbon), and TN [%] (Total Nitrogen). Stable Isotopes: Bulk carbon and nitrogen isotopic composition, used to track organic matter origin and environmental changes over time within the active layer and permafrost profile.