PCDD/Fs, dioxin-like, and non-dioxin like PCBs in the sediments of high Arctic fjords, Svalbard

Kannan, V.M.; Gopikrishna, V.G.; Saritha, V.K.; Krishnan, K.P.; Mohan, Mahesh

PCDD/Fs, dioxin-like, and non-dioxin like PCBs in the sediments of high Arctic fjords, Svalbard

2022

Kannan, V.M. | Gopikrishna, V.G. | Saritha, V.K. | Krishnan, K.P. | Mohan, Mahesh

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) are highly toxic organic compounds, and very few studies on their presence in polar environments have been conducted. This study assessed the concentration and distribution of PCDD/Fs, dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (DL-PCBs), and non-dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls in selected fjords of the Svalbard archipelago in Norway. The ∑PCDD/Fs observed for Raudfjorden, Smeerenburgfjorden, Magdalenefjorden, and Kongsfjorden were 22.80 pg/g, 25.65 pg/g, 18.27 pg/g, 33.50 pg/g, and 21.69 pg/g, respectively. The WHO's toxic equivalents values of both ∑PCDD/Fs and ∑DL-PCBs were comparatively higher than those reported in other polar regions. Of the four fjords studied, the sediments from Kongsfjorden exhibited the presence of the most toxic materials, including PCB-126 and PCB-169, of DL-PCBs. More than 80% of the total analysed PCDD/Fs were comprised of highly chlorinated congeners (hexa-to-octa forms). More studies are required to understand the destination and transport of these hazardous pollutants in high Arctic sediments.

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