Air-water Exchange and Phytoplankton Accumulation of Pesistent Organic Pollutants in the Greenland Current and Artic Ocean

Abstract

Here we show the PCB, HCH and HCB concentrations in air (gas and aerosol phases), water (dissolved and particulate) and Phytoplankton. The results were obtained during the Spanish ATOS-ARTIC Cruise on RV Hespérides during July 2007 in a Transect starting in Iceland and finishing at Svalvard. Our results shows the downslope concentrations of PCBs and HCHs in water and air according to time trends of the last years especially in the case of HCHs. The POP concentrations in phytoplankton were similar than the results previously published for arctic planktonic organisms. The atmospheric halflife estimations (less than 2 days) indicate a decrease in air concentrations when transported northward for HCHs and PCBs. If we study the same phaenomenom for HCB there is no clear tendency in transport showing a lot of variability in the concentrations in air. These trends are consistent with a net absorption of POPs from the atmosphere to water, presumably driven by the high productivity of the region. The close conditions to equilibrium as elucidated from POP fugacities in air and water, suggest a dynamic cycling between the lower atmosphere and surface waters. Bioconcentrations factors for most POPs to Phaeocycties colonies are higher than those predicted from hydrophobicity, even though there is a lack of studies specific to these phytoplankton species, the results suggests that these colonies have a high capacity to uptake POPs and potential mechanisms are reviewed. The present work suggest that phytoplankton plays a ah key role in the biological pump in polar areas. In addition the potential role of ice melting as a source of POPs to water and atmosphere is assessed.