Distribution of organochlorine pesticides and diuron (urea pesticide) in the sediments of Prydz Bay, East Antarctica

Abstract

This study provides crucial insights into the extent and impact of human activity on Antarctic ecosystems by shedding light on previously unexplored contamination patterns in one of the earth’s most pristine environments. In modern periods, several pesticides have been developed worldwide, applied, and released into the environment. As a result, information regarding occurrence patterns and spatial variability is limited to easily accessible regions, and only a finite number of research have been published from the remote Antarctic region. Seven surface sediments were collected from Prydz Bay, East Antarctica, by which four organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) were detected along with the presence of a herbicide diuron. The concentration of diuron (range BDL-16.57 ng/g) is several times higher than other OCPs. In the case of OCPs, the highest concentrations were for p,p′ DDD (BDL-0.42 ng/g), followed by dichloran (BDL-0.17 ng/g), BHC β (BDL-0.09 ng/g), and then HCB (BDL-0.02 ng/g).