Analysis of a firn core for assessing POP seasonal accumulation on an alpine glacier

• Published in: Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety
• Main Authors: Villa, S, Negrelli, C, Maggi, V, Finizio, A, Vighi, M
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Academic Press. 2006
• Subjects: POPs; mountain environment; glaciers; ice core; Settore BIOS-05/A - Ecologia; Monte Rosa
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10281/882; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2005.05.006

Organochlorine pesticides (DDTs, HCHs, HCB) and selected PCBs were analyzed in samples from a firn core drilled on the Lys Glacier (4240m above sea level, Monte Rosa Group, Italian Alps) in Summer 2000. The samples covered a relatively short time interval (from 1997 to 2000) and a seasonal detail breakdown was possible. A probable seasonal trend was observed only for g-HCH, a pesticide currently used in some European countries. For all other chemicals, a seasonal trend was not evident, and this supports the hypothesis of the prevailing role of long-range transport in comparison with local emissions for POP pollution in high mountains. The role of temperature on air¿snow exchange has also been highlighted.