Ocean current redistributed the currently using Organoamine Pesticides in Arctic summer water

In a comprehensive study on the presence and distribution of Currently Using Organoamine Pesticides (CUOAPs) in the Arctic Ocean, this study collected and analyzed 36 surface seawater samples during the summer of 2021. The study detected 36 CUOAPs, 17 of these compounds at levels exceeding the Method Detection Limits (MDLs). Concentrations of CUOAPs ranged from 0.11 to 2.94 ng/L, exhibiting an average of 1.83 ± 0.83 ng/L. Spatial distribution analysis revealed lower CUOAP concentrations in the central Arctic Ocean, with Cycloate constituting the most abundant component (23.66 %). The investigation identified terrestrial inputs and long-range atmospheric transport as potential sources of CUOAPs in the Arctic Ocean region. The origins of individual CUOAPs appeared to be associated with application procedures and their propensity for co-occurrence at low latitudes. The study also examined the role of ocean currents in the transport and redistribution of CUOAPs in surface seawater across different regions. While ocean currents played a significant role, the influence of sea ice cover on CUOAP distribution was minimal. An ecological risk assessment analysis underscored the need for regional attention to the presence of CUOAPs in the Arctic Ocean.

Perspectives of XRF and XANES Applications in Cryospheric Sciences Using Chinese SR Facilities

As an important part of the climate system, the cryosphere, can be studied with a variety of techniques based on laboratory-based or field-portable equipment in order to accumulate data for a better understanding of this portion of the Earth’s surface. The advent of synchrotron radiation (SR) facilities as large scientific interdisciplinary infrastructures has reshaped the scenario of these investigations and, in particular, of condensed matters researches. Many spectroscopic methods allow for characterizing the structure or electronic structure of samples, while the scattering/diffraction methods enable the determination of crystalline structures of either organic or inorganic systems. Moreover, imaging methods offer an unprecedented spatial resolution of samples, revealing their inner structure and morphology. In this contribution, we briefly introduce the SR facilities now available in mainland China, and the perspectives of SR-based methods suitable to investigate ice, snow, aerosols, dust, and other samples of cryospheric origin from deep ice cores, permafrost, filters, etc. The goal is to deepen the understanding in cryospheric sciences through an increased collaboration between the synchrotron radiation community and the scientists working in polar areas or involved in correlated environmental problems.

Svalbard reindeer as an indicator of ecosystem changes in the Arctic terrestrial ecosystem

Over the years, noticeable effort has been directed towards contaminant determination in multiple biotic samples collected from the inhabitants of the Arctic. Little consideration has been given to polar herbivores, however, especially those from the European parts of the Arctic. To provide a broader perspective, we aimed to decipher trace element concentration in hairs of the key species in the Arctic, namely the Svalbard reindeer (Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus), and to recognise whether diet variations could correspond with forward exposure. The effect of habitat and diet was investigated using the ratios of stable isotopes of carbon (δ¹³C) and nitrogen (δ¹⁵N), and previous literature studies on vegetation from the areas of interest. Analysis was performed for eighteen elements in total, both toxic and essential. Metals were present in a decreasing order Fe > Zn > Ba > Cu > Pb > Cr > Ni > V > Ga =La > Rb > As > Li > Co > Hg > Cd > Cs > Be. Similarity in trends in the studied subpopulations was observed for many metals. A significant log-linear correlation was observed for most of the elements, excluding nitrogen and carbon isotopes signature. Extremely high iron levels were determined in some of the samples, suggesting past iron overload. Zinc, in contrast to the remaining metals, did not correlate well with any other element. Mercury was determined at very low levels, in accordance with previous literature regarding its concentrations in moss and lichen species in Svalbard. The analysis of stable isotopes showed a high variation in nitrogen isotopes signatures. Further research is required to properly evaluate the potential health risks and ecological implications of elevated exposure.

Influence of Ship Emissions on Urban Air Quality: A Comprehensive Study Using Highly Time-Resolved Online Measurements and Numerical Simulation in Shanghai

Shanghai has become an international shipping center in the world. In this study, the multiyear measurements and the high resolution air quality model with hourly ship emission inventory were combined to determine the influence of ship emissions on urban Shanghai. The aerosol time-of-flight mass spectrometer (ATOFMS) measurements were carried out at an urban site from April 2009 to January 2013. During the entire sampling time, most of the half-hourly averaged number fractions of primary ship emitted particles varied between 1.0-10.0%. However, the number fraction could reach up to 50% during the ship plume cases. Ship-plume-influenced periods usually occurred in spring and summer. The simulation of Weather Research and Forecasting/Community Multiscale Air Quality model (WRF/CMAQ) with hourly ship emission inventory provided the highly time-resolved concentrations of ship-related air pollutants during a ship plume case. It showed ships could contribute 20-30% (2-7 μg/m³) of the total PM_2.5 within tens of kilometers of coastal and riverside Shanghai during ship-plume-influenced periods. Our results showed that ship emissions have substantial contribution to the air pollution in urban Shanghai. The control measures of ship emission should be taken considering its negative environment and human health effects.

Single-particle characterization of summertime arctic aerosols collected at Ny-Alesund, Svalbard

Single-particle characterization of summertime Arctic aerosols is useful to understand the impact of air pollutants on the polar atmosphere. In the present study, a quantitative single particle analytical technique, low-Z particle electron probe X-ray microanalysis, was used to characterize 8100 individual particles overall in 16 sets of aerosol samples collected at Ny-Alesund, Svalbard, Norway on 25-31 July, 2007. Based on their X-ray spectral and secondary electron image data of individual particles, 13 particle types were identified, in which particles of marine origin were the most abundant, followed by carbonaceous and mineral dust particles. A number of aged (reacted) sea salt (and mixture) particles produced by the atmospheric reaction of genuine sea-salts, especially with NO(x) or HNO(3), were significantly encountered in almost all the aerosol samples. They greatly outnumbered genuine sea salt particles, implying that the summertime Arctic atmosphere, generally regarded as a clean background environment, is disturbed by anthropogenic air pollutants. The main sources of airborne NO(x) (or HNO(3)) are probably ship emissions around the Arctic Ocean, industry emission from northern Europe and northwestern Siberia, and renoxification of NO(3)(-) within or on the melting snow/ice surface.

Arctic air pollution: origins and impacts

Notable warming trends have been observed in the Arctic. Although increased human-induced emissions of long-lived greenhouse gases are certainly the main driving factor, air pollutants, such as aerosols and ozone, are also important. Air pollutants are transported to the Arctic, primarily from Eurasia, leading to high concentrations in winter and spring (Arctic haze). Local ship emissions and summertime boreal forest fires may also be important pollution sources. Aerosols and ozone could be perturbing the radiative budget of the Arctic through processes specific to the region: Absorption of solar radiation by aerosols is enhanced by highly reflective snow and ice surfaces; deposition of light-absorbing aerosols on snow or ice can decrease surface albedo; and tropospheric ozone forcing may also be contributing to warming in this region. Future increases in pollutant emissions locally or in mid-latitudes could further accelerate global warming in the Arctic.