Study of Long Range Transported Pollutants in Arctic Soil

• Main Author: Huber, Carolin Elisabeth
• Other Authors: Mikkelsen, Øyvind, Steinnes, Eiliv
• Format: Master Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: NTNU 2017
• Subjects: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry; Environmental Chemistry; Arctic; Leinstranda; Longyearbyen; Ny-Ålesund; Svalbard; Ny Ålesund
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/11250/2445479

In this master thesis, levels of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs), total organic carbon (TOC) and potentially long range transported inorganic elements (Cd, Hg and Pb) in surface soil and vegetation have been studied for samples from Svalbard (Norwegian Arctic). 74 soil and 35 vegetation samples were taken at six different sampling sites which provide background levels. For measurement of PCBs in soil, a method had been developed for the use of accelerated solvent extraction and gas chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. Different cleanup methods have been tested. Results maintained from a certified laboratory showed abundance of PCB 52 in soil and vegetation samples with a mean of 3,0 ng/g in soil and 5,9 ng/g in vegetation. PCB 180 was found for sample sites in Leinstranda (Ny Ålesund). PCB 28 was found in two vegetation samples. Other measured congeners (101, 118, 138, 153) were under the limit of quantification (LOQ= 1 ng/g). A mean concentration of Hg of 155 § 83 ng/g in soil and 97,4 ng/g in vegetation was obtained, with significant higher results for sample sites close to Longyearbyen. Hg significantly correlates with S and Cl in soil. Measured Pb levels in soil show a mean of 31,5 µg/g and seem to result from the soil parent material. Cd levels (mean 0,489 µg/g in soil) were high correlated with TOC. Higher levels and variation was found for Cd in vegetation samples (0,595 µg/g).