Depositional history and inventories of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in sediment cores from an Antarctic Specially Managed Area (Admiralty Bay, King George Island)

Abstract

Temporal patterns, fluxes and inventories of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were assessed in nine sediment cores collected from selected areas of Admiralty Bay off the Antarctic Peninsula. Concentrations of total PCBs were low, but slightly higher in comparison to low-impacted, remote environments in the world, ranging from below the detection limit to 11.9ngg^-1 in dry weight. PCB concentrations and inventories suggest a possible minor influence related to the nearby logistic activities, especially in the sediment core collected close to the Ferraz Station. Despite being the most remote and protected area on the planet, the Antarctic continent is no longer a pristine environment.

Keywords: Admiralty Bay; Antarctica; PCBs; long-range transport; sediment cores.