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Persistent organic pollutants in lakes of Broknes peninsula at Larsemann Hills area, East Antarctica
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Persistent organic pollutants (including pesticides and other industrial chemicals) were detected in Antarctic lakes, showing that even remote polar regions are contaminated by global pollution. While not focused on microplastics, the findings highlight how far-reaching environmental contamination has become.
Anthropogenic activity in East Antarctica has increased since the last 2-3 decades because of various scientific expeditions. Additionally, global pollution due to various newly introduced pollutants like pesticides is on use since the past century and many factors contribute to contamination even in Antarctica. During thirty fourth Indian Scientific Expedition to Antarctica (ISEA) in austral summer of 2014-2015, fifteen lake water samples were collected from five different lakes at Broknes peninsula, Larsemann Hills, East Antarctica. Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) residue levels found in lake water samples varied from 10.33-70.00 pg/mL in five different lakes. Presence of p,p'-DDT was detected in all different lakes but high concentration found in P4 lake water. After study confirms that Broknes peninsula in the Larsemann Hills area, East Antarctica has a trace amount of POPs which is an alarming situation and needs to be investigated further to maintain the pristine environment in Antarctica. The presence of POPs may be attributed to orographic effects, migratory birds, biomagnification and anthropogenic sources. In the future, new emerging pollutants must be analyzed like microplastics, phthalate, Paraxanthene etc.
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Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.