Relationship between Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and Antarctic Environment

The human population in Antarctica is very small. There is no industrial or agricultural activity. Human existence in this region is primarily due to scientific investigation and associated logistical measures. The greatest impacts are expected in areas where research is conducted at long-term observation stations, as Antarctica is affected by persistent organic pollutants (POPs). POPs are volatile mixtures that can be transferred to polar regions via the Long-Range Atmospheric Transport Mechanism (LRATM), where minimal temperatures play a substantial role in the fate of POPs in the environment. Scientists have detected trace amounts of POPs in snow, as they retain POPs for long periods through diffusion, wet deposition, and cold trapping, and can act as a definitive sink for many POPs. However, most of the available publications concern specific chemical groups or specific zones, and ample data on persistent contaminants in Antarctic environments remain scattered. The Antarctic Research and Logistics Organization (ARLO) has established a committee to develop a worldwide coordinated monitoring network. Nevertheless, unlike the Arctic region, where synchronized pollution assessments are carried out, the Antarctic Monitoring and Assessment Program (AMAP) does not exist. It is therefore important to examine the major gaps in our overall knowledge and understanding of the fundamental patterns of contaminant presence in Antarctica and their effect on the atmosphere and human health. In this context, the focus of this chapter will be to highlight the emergence, recent trends, origins, transport, and threats to human health and the surroundings of POPs.