Articles | Volume 23, issue 14 
            
                
                    
            
            
            https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-8103-2023
                    © Author(s) 2023. This work is distributed under 
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
                the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-8103-2023
                    © Author(s) 2023. This work is distributed under 
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
                the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Levels of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in the Antarctic atmosphere over time (1980 to 2021) and estimation of their atmospheric half-lives
Thais Luarte
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
                                            
                                    
                                            Programa de Doctorado en Medicina de la Conservación, Facultad
Ciencias de La Vida, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago, 8370251, Chile
                                        
                                    
                                            GEMA, Center for Genomics, Ecology & Environment, Universidad
Mayor, Camino La Pirámide, 5750 Huechuraba, Santiago, 8580745, Chile
                                        
                                    
                                            Anillo en Ciencia y Tecnología Antártica POLARIX, Santiago de Chile, Chile
                                        
                                    Victoria A. Gómez-Aburto
                                            GEMA, Center for Genomics, Ecology & Environment, Universidad
Mayor, Camino La Pirámide, 5750 Huechuraba, Santiago, 8580745, Chile
                                        
                                    
                                            Anillo en Ciencia y Tecnología Antártica POLARIX, Santiago de Chile, Chile
                                        
                                    Ignacio Poblete-Castro
                                            Biosystems Engineering Laboratory, Department of Chemical and
Bioprocess Engineering, Universidad de Santiago de Chile (USACH), 9170022, Santiago,
Chile
                                        
                                    Eduardo Castro-Nallar
                                            Anillo en Ciencia y Tecnología Antártica POLARIX, Santiago de Chile, Chile
                                        
                                    
                                            Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Talca, Campus Talca, Av. Lircay s/n, Talca, 3460000, Chile
                                        
                                    
                                            Centro de Ecología Integrativa, Universidad de Talca, Campus
Talca, Av. Lircay s/n, Talca, 3460000, Chile
                                        
                                    Nicolas Huneeus
                                            Anillo en Ciencia y Tecnología Antártica POLARIX, Santiago de Chile, Chile
                                        
                                    
                                            Center for Climate and Resilience Research (CR), Santiago,
8370415, Chile
                                        
                                    
                                            Department of Geophysics, Faculty of Physical and Mathematical
Sciences, University of Chile, Santiago, 8370456, Chile
                                        
                                    Marco Molina-Montenegro
                                            Anillo en Ciencia y Tecnología Antártica POLARIX, Santiago de Chile, Chile
                                        
                                    
                                            Centro de Estudios Avanzados en Zonas Áridas (CEAZA), Facultad de Ciencias del Mar, Univ. Católica del Norte, Larrondo 1281, Coquimbo,
Chile
                                        
                                    Claudia Egas
                                            Centro de Ecología Integrativa, Universidad de Talca, Campus
Talca, Av. Lircay s/n, Talca, 3460000, Chile
                                        
                                    Germán Azcune
                                            Departamento de Desarrollo Tecnológico – DDT, Centro
Universitario Regional del Este (CURE), Universidad de la República,
Ruta 9 y Ruta 15, Rocha, 27000, Uruguay
                                        
                                    Andrés Pérez-Parada
                                            Departamento de Desarrollo Tecnológico – DDT, Centro
Universitario Regional del Este (CURE), Universidad de la República,
Ruta 9 y Ruta 15, Rocha, 27000, Uruguay
                                        
                                    Rainier Lohmann
                                            Graduate School of Oceanography, University of Rhode Island,
Narragansett, Rhode Island 02882, USA
                                        
                                    Pernilla Bohlin-Nizzetto
                                            NILU – Norwegian Institute for Air Research, P.O. Box 100, Kjeller, 2027, Norway
                                        
                                    Jordi Dachs
                                            Department of Environmental Chemistry, IDAEA-CSIC, c/Jordi Girona
18-26, Barcelona, Catalonia, 08034, Spain
                                        
                                    Susan Bengtson-Nash
                                            Southern Ocean Persistent Organic Pollutants Program, Centre for
Planetary Health and Food Security, School of Environment and Science,
Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland, 4111, Australia
                                        
                                    Gustavo Chiang
                                            Center for Sustainable Research & Department of Ecology and
Biodiversity, Faculty of Life Sciences, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago,
8370251, Chile
                                        
                                    Karla Pozo
                                            Facultad de Ingeniería y Tecnología, Universidad San
Sebastián, Lientur 1457, Concepción, Chile
                                        
                                    
                                            RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, Brno, Czech Republic
                                        
                                    Cristóbal J. Galbán-Malagón
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
                                            
                                    
                                            GEMA, Center for Genomics, Ecology & Environment, Universidad
Mayor, Camino La Pirámide, 5750 Huechuraba, Santiago, 8580745, Chile
                                        
                                    
                                            Anillo en Ciencia y Tecnología Antártica POLARIX, Santiago de Chile, Chile
                                        
                                    
                                            Institute of Environment, Florida International University,
University Park, Miami, Florida 33199, USA
                                        
                                    Viewed
                        
                            Total article views: 4,229 (including HTML, PDF, and XML)
                        
                            
                                
                                
                            
                                
                                
                            
                        
                        
                            Cumulative views and downloads 
                                         (calculated since 02 Feb 2023)
                        
                        
                            
                                
                            
                    
        
                    
                    | HTML | XML | Total | Supplement | BibTeX | EndNote | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3,227 | 914 | 88 | 4,229 | 217 | 77 | 101 | 
- HTML: 3,227
- PDF: 914
- XML: 88
- Total: 4,229
- Supplement: 217
- BibTeX: 77
- EndNote: 101
                        
                            Total article views: 2,685 (including HTML, PDF, and XML)
                        
                            
                                
                                
                            
                                
                                
                            
                        
                        
                            Cumulative views and downloads 
                                         (calculated since 19 Jul 2023)
                        
                        
                            
                                
                            
                    
                    
                    | HTML | XML | Total | Supplement | BibTeX | EndNote | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2,111 | 510 | 64 | 2,685 | 107 | 66 | 91 | 
- HTML: 2,111
- PDF: 510
- XML: 64
- Total: 2,685
- Supplement: 107
- BibTeX: 66
- EndNote: 91
                        
                            Total article views: 1,544 (including HTML, PDF, and XML)
                        
                            
                                
                                
                            
                                
                                
                            
                        
                        
                            Cumulative views and downloads 
                                         (calculated since 02 Feb 2023)
                        
                        
                            
                                
                            
                    
        
                
            | HTML | XML | Total | Supplement | BibTeX | EndNote | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,116 | 404 | 24 | 1,544 | 110 | 11 | 10 | 
- HTML: 1,116
- PDF: 404
- XML: 24
- Total: 1,544
- Supplement: 110
- BibTeX: 11
- EndNote: 10
Viewed (geographical distribution)
                                Total article views: 4,229 (including HTML, PDF, and XML)
                                
                                Thereof 4,229 with geography defined
                                    and 0 with unknown origin. 
                            
        
                            
                                Total article views: 2,685 (including HTML, PDF, and XML)
                                
                                Thereof 2,679 with geography defined
                                    and 6 with unknown origin. 
                            
        
                            
                                Total article views: 1,544 (including HTML, PDF, and XML)
                                
                                Thereof 1,544 with geography defined
                                    and 0 with unknown origin. 
                            
                    | Country | # | Views | % | 
|---|
| Country | # | Views | % | 
|---|
| Country | # | Views | % | 
|---|
| Total: | 0 | 
| HTML: | 0 | 
| PDF: | 0 | 
| XML: | 0 | 
- 1
1
                            | Total: | 0 | 
| HTML: | 0 | 
| PDF: | 0 | 
| XML: | 0 | 
- 1
1
                            | Total: | 0 | 
| HTML: | 0 | 
| PDF: | 0 | 
| XML: | 0 | 
- 1
1
                            Cited
20 citations as recorded by crossref.
- PCBs in Chinstrap Penguins from Deception Island (South Shetland Islands, Antarctica) M. Motas et al. 10.3390/toxics13060430
- Emerging Pollutants in Chinstrap Penguins and Krill from Deception Island (South Shetland Islands, Antarctica) M. Motas et al. 10.3390/toxics13070549
- Human footprint alters morphological traits and gut microbiome assembly of Antarctic sea urchins F. Moya et al. 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118448
- Occurrence and flux of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in settling particulate matter from the water column in Fildes Bay, Antarctica V. Gómez et al. 10.5817/CPR2025-1-6
- Quantifying role of source variations on PM2.5-bound toxic components under climate change: Measurement at multiple sites during 2018–2022 in a Chinese megacity X. Feng et al. 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.138584
- Distribution and bioconcentration of semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs) in soils and vascular plant Colobanthus quitensis from Sub-Antarctic and Antarctic regions C. Egas et al. 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.178494
- Development and performance evaluation of an analytical method for the analysis of polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) accumulated in pine needles S. Seo et al. 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2025.144630
- Blubber gene expression and cortisol concentrations reveal changing physiological stress in a Southern ocean sentinel species J. Linsky et al. 10.1016/j.marenvres.2024.106596
- Trends in Antarctic soil fungal research in the context of environmental changes L. Zucconi et al. 10.1007/s42770-024-01333-x
- Indirect Impact of Eutrophication on Occurrence, Air–Water Exchange, and Vertical Sinking Fluxes of Antibiotics in a Subtropical River J. Tang et al. 10.1021/acs.est.4c00960
- The Commerson's dolphin as Subantarctic sentinel of POPs: Insights into the pollutant status in one of the southernmost coastal areas of the globe I. Cáceres-Saez et al. 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124737
- Electrochemical aptasensing strategies for emerging organic pollutants in environmental analysis A. Xie et al. 10.1039/D5AY01084E
- Tracing emerging contaminants in the Arctic cryosphere: Insights from Spitsbergen (Svalbard Archipelago) F. Spataro et al. 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.140051
- The long-term spatial and temporal distributions of polychlorinated naphthalene air concentrations in Fildes Peninsula, West Antarctica T. Gebru et al. 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132824
- Coarse-grained simulations of sulfanilamide and hexachlorobenzene mobility in soil organic matter L. Dettmann et al. 10.1039/D5VA00237K
- Persistent Organic Pollutants released from decomposed adipose tissue affect mitochondrial enzyme function in the brain and eyes other than the liver D. Yang et al. 10.1007/s11356-024-31904-2
- Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and Dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) levels in air and surface sea waters along the Antarctic Peninsula C. Galbán-Malagón et al. 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115699
- Airborne organic pollutants impact microbial communities in temperate and Antarctic seawaters P. Echeveste et al. 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.143085
- Enrichment of Organophosphate Esters in the Sea Surface Microlayer from the Atlantic and Southern Oceans N. Trilla-Prieto et al. 10.1021/acs.estlett.4c00636
- Atmospheric bulk depositions: state-of-the-art and European legislative framework with focus on Italy G. Ianiri et al. 10.1007/s11356-024-34338-y
19 citations as recorded by crossref.
- PCBs in Chinstrap Penguins from Deception Island (South Shetland Islands, Antarctica) M. Motas et al. 10.3390/toxics13060430
- Emerging Pollutants in Chinstrap Penguins and Krill from Deception Island (South Shetland Islands, Antarctica) M. Motas et al. 10.3390/toxics13070549
- Human footprint alters morphological traits and gut microbiome assembly of Antarctic sea urchins F. Moya et al. 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118448
- Occurrence and flux of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in settling particulate matter from the water column in Fildes Bay, Antarctica V. Gómez et al. 10.5817/CPR2025-1-6
- Quantifying role of source variations on PM2.5-bound toxic components under climate change: Measurement at multiple sites during 2018–2022 in a Chinese megacity X. Feng et al. 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.138584
- Distribution and bioconcentration of semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs) in soils and vascular plant Colobanthus quitensis from Sub-Antarctic and Antarctic regions C. Egas et al. 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.178494
- Development and performance evaluation of an analytical method for the analysis of polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) accumulated in pine needles S. Seo et al. 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2025.144630
- Blubber gene expression and cortisol concentrations reveal changing physiological stress in a Southern ocean sentinel species J. Linsky et al. 10.1016/j.marenvres.2024.106596
- Trends in Antarctic soil fungal research in the context of environmental changes L. Zucconi et al. 10.1007/s42770-024-01333-x
- Indirect Impact of Eutrophication on Occurrence, Air–Water Exchange, and Vertical Sinking Fluxes of Antibiotics in a Subtropical River J. Tang et al. 10.1021/acs.est.4c00960
- The Commerson's dolphin as Subantarctic sentinel of POPs: Insights into the pollutant status in one of the southernmost coastal areas of the globe I. Cáceres-Saez et al. 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124737
- Electrochemical aptasensing strategies for emerging organic pollutants in environmental analysis A. Xie et al. 10.1039/D5AY01084E
- Tracing emerging contaminants in the Arctic cryosphere: Insights from Spitsbergen (Svalbard Archipelago) F. Spataro et al. 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.140051
- The long-term spatial and temporal distributions of polychlorinated naphthalene air concentrations in Fildes Peninsula, West Antarctica T. Gebru et al. 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132824
- Coarse-grained simulations of sulfanilamide and hexachlorobenzene mobility in soil organic matter L. Dettmann et al. 10.1039/D5VA00237K
- Persistent Organic Pollutants released from decomposed adipose tissue affect mitochondrial enzyme function in the brain and eyes other than the liver D. Yang et al. 10.1007/s11356-024-31904-2
- Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and Dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) levels in air and surface sea waters along the Antarctic Peninsula C. Galbán-Malagón et al. 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115699
- Airborne organic pollutants impact microbial communities in temperate and Antarctic seawaters P. Echeveste et al. 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.143085
- Enrichment of Organophosphate Esters in the Sea Surface Microlayer from the Atlantic and Southern Oceans N. Trilla-Prieto et al. 10.1021/acs.estlett.4c00636
1 citations as recorded by crossref.
Latest update: 30 Oct 2025
Short summary
                    In the last 40 years, different research groups have reported on the atmospheric concentrations of persistent organic pollutants in Antarctica. In the present work, we make a compilation to understand the historical trends and estimate the atmospheric half-life of each compound. Of the compounds studied, HCB was the only one that showed no clear trend, while the rest of the studied compounds showed a significant decrease over time. This is consistent with results for polar and sub-polar zones.
                    In the last 40 years, different research groups have reported on the atmospheric concentrations...
                    
                Altmetrics
                
                Final-revised paper
            
            
                    Preprint
                
                     
 
                             
                             
                     
                     
                    