Evidence of human impact in Antarctic region by studying atmospheric aerosols

Abás, Elisa (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Marina-Montes, César (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Laguna, Mariano ; Lasheras, Roberto ; Rivas, Patricia ; Peribáñez, Pablo ; Valle, Javier del ; Escudero, Miguel (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Velásquez, Abrahan ; Cáceres, Jorge O. ; Pérez-Arribas, Luis Vicente ; Anzano, Jesús (Universidad de Zaragoza)

Resumen: 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.

Idioma: Inglés

DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.135706

Año: 2022

Publicado en: CHEMOSPHERE 307, Part 1 (2022), 135706 [7 pp.]
ISSN: 0045-6535

Factor impacto JCR: 8.8 (2022)

Categ. JCR: ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES rank: 30 / 275 = 0.109 (2022) - Q1 - T1

Factor impacto CITESCORE: 13.3 - Environmental Science (Q1) - Chemistry (Q1) - Medicine (Q1)

Factor impacto SCIMAGO: 1.727 - Chemistry (miscellaneous) (Q1) - Environmental Chemistry (Q1) - Environmental Engineering (Q1) - Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health (Q1) - Medicine (miscellaneous) (Q1) - Pollution (Q1) - Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis (Q1)

Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/DGA/E23-17D
Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/DGA/E49-20R
Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/MCINN/CTM2017-82929-R
Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/UZ/UZ2021-CIE-01

Tipo y forma: Article (Published version)

Área (Departamento): Área Física Aplicada (Dpto. Física Aplicada)
Área (Departamento): Área Química Analítica (Dpto. Química Analítica)