Occurrence and distribution of organophosphate esters in the air and soils of Ny-Ålesund and London Island, Svalbard, Arctic

• Published in: Environmental pollution (1987) 2020-08, Vol.263 (Pt A), p.114495-114495, Article 114495
• Main Authors: Han, Xu, Hao, Yanfen, Li, Yingming, Yang, Ruiqiang, Wang, Pu, Zhang, Gaoxin, Zhang, Qinghua, Jiang, Guibin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Long-range transport; OPEs; Remote regions
• ISSN: 0269-7491; 1873-6424
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.114495

The levels of eight organophosphate esters (OPEs) were analyzed in air and soil samples collected at Ny-Ålesund and London Island, Svalbard during the Chinese Scientific Research Expedition to the Arctic during 2014–2015. The concentrations of total OPEs (∑OPEs) ranged from 357 pg/m3 to 852 pg/m3 in the air and from 1.33 ng/g to 17.5 ng/g dry weight (dw) in the soils. Non-Cl OPEs accounted for 56 ± 13% and 62 ± 16% of ∑OPEs for the air and soil, respectively. Tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP) was the dominant compound in the air, with an average concentration of 180 ± 122 pg/m3. Triphenyl phosphate, tri(1-chloro-2-propyl) phosphate, and TCEP were the most abundant OPEs in the soils, with mean values of 1.77, 2.13, and 1.02 ng/g dw, respectively. Compared with the levels of polybrominated diphenyl ethers found in Arctic regions in previous studies, OPEs showed significantly higher concentrations, thereby indicating the large production and wide usage of OPEs globally. In addition, the fugacity fraction results indicated that net deposition from air to soil was dominated in the area. Overall, the occurrence and distribution of OPEs in the air and soils in the Arctic region indicated that OPEs can undergo long-range atmospheric transport and accumulate in remote regions. [Display omitted] •The concentrations of OPEs in soils were higher than those of PBDEs in Arctic.•Net deposition of OPEs from air to soil was dominated in the area.•OPEs can undergo long-range atmospheric transport and accumulate in Arctic. OPEs can undergo long-range atmospheric transport and accumulate in remote regions.