Deposition history of brominated flame retardant compounds in an ice core from Holtedahlfonna, Svalbard, Norway

• Main Authors: Hermanson, M.H., Isaksson, E., Forsström, S., Teixeira, C., Muir, D.C.G., Pohjola, V.A., van de Wal, R.S.W.
• Other Authors: Dep Natuurkunde, Marine and Atmospheric Research
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: 2010
• Subjects: Arctic; Svalbard; Norway; Holtedahlfonna; ice core; Ice Sheet
• Online Access: https://dspace.library.uu.nl/handle/1874/197279

Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) have been found in Arctic wildlife, lake sediment, and air. To identify the atmospheric BFR deposition history on Svalbard, Norway, we analyzed 19 BFRs, including hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), 1,2-bis(2,4,6-tribromophenoxy)ethane (BTBPE), decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE), pentabromoethylbenzene (PBEB), and 15 polybrominated diphenyl ether congeners (PBDE) in the upper 34 m of an ice core (representing 1953-2005) from Holtedahlfonna, the western-most ice sheet on Svalbard. All of the non-PBDE compounds were detected in nearly continuous profiles in the core. Seven PBDEs were not observed above background (28, 47, 66, 100, 99, 154, 153), while 4 were found in 1 or 2 of 6 segments (17, 85, 138, 183). BDEs-49, 71, 190, 209 had nearly continuous profiles but only BDE-209 in large amounts. The greatest inputs were HBCD and BDE-209, 910, and 320 pg cm-2 yr-1 from 1995-2005. DBDPE, BTBPE, and PBEB show nearly continuous input growth in recent core segments, but all were 75% of atmospheric flow to Holtedahlfonna coming from Eurasia during haze periods (March and April).