Spanish scientists find contamination derived from human activity in Antarctica

Scientists from the Zaragoza’s University and of the Complutense of Madrid have carried out a study that shows that Antarctica is not an isolated environment from the pollution derived from human activitysince they have found evidence of contamination by aerosols.

The members of the project ‘Characterization of atmospheric aerosols in Antarctica’, of the group Chemistry and Environment from the University of Zaragoza and Laser Chemistry from the Complutense University of Madridwith him Defense University Centerhave found the presence in the air of high concentrations of heavy metals such as aluminium, iron, titanium, nickel, chromium and manganese, which means that contamination can be detected at great distances from emission sources.

In the research, filter aerosol sampling has been carried out during several consecutive Antarctic campaigns (2018-2020) in the vicinity of the Spanish Antarctic bases. ‘Gabriel of Castile’located on Deception Island, and ‘Juan Carlos I’, on Livingston Island.

The analysis of the air filters has been carried out through three spectroscopic techniques: FESEM, LIBS and ICP-MSand thanks to more in-depth studies on the results, it has been possible to obtain information on the sources of source of found items. While the concentrations of aluminium, iron, titanium and manganese can be explained by a naturally occurring source, i.e. the earth’s crust, nickel and chromium do not come from the same source as they have very high concentrations attributable to human activities.

In the project they have collaborated, on the part of Unify, Jesús Anzano, Elisa Abás, César Marina Montes and Abrahan Velásquez. From the Complutense University of Madrid have participated Jorge Caceres and Luis Vicente Perez Arribas. And the Defense University Center has intervened Xavier of the Valley. The results obtained have been published in the scientific magazine ‘Chemosphere’.