Local pollution and the risks of OPFR, PBDE and PFAS to the marine ecosystem outside Longyearbyen and Barentsburg in Svalbard

Abstract: Most of the ecotoxicological research conducted in the Arctic until today has focused on long range transport of pollutants, while fewer studies on local pollution have been published. The aim of this study was hence to investigate if local pollution of organophosphorus flame retardants (OPFRs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and perfluorinated alkylated substances (PFAS) occurs outside two settlements in Svalbard; Longyearbyen and Grønfjorden. Furthermore was the aim to examine if the concentration of each substance differs between the settlements. Sediment was sampled in Adventfjorden (outside Longyearbyen), Grønfjorden (outside Barentsburg) and at a reference site in Kongsfjorden. The samples were analysed for the above mentioned substances. In addition a risk analysis was performed, using toxic units to examine the risk of OPFRs, PBDEs and PFAS to the fjord ecosystems. Results showed that local pollution exist for 10 respectively 8 out of 13 analysed congeners of OPFRs in Adventfjorden and Grønfjorden, with the highest median concentration of tris(2-chloro-1-methylethyl) phosphate (TCPP) (3.17 ng/g dw respectively 15.2 ng/g dw). Of the PBDEs only 2,2´,4,4´,5-pentabromodiphenyl ether (BDE99) was detected, with the highest median concentration of 28.8 pg/g dw respectively 16.7 pg/g dw in Adventfjorden and Grønfjorden. Three of 21 analysed congeners of PFAS were assumed to originate from local sources, where perfluorooctansulfonic acid (PFOS) had the highest median concentration in Adventfjorden (0.18 ng/g dw) and perfluorotetradecanoic acid (PFTeA) in Grønfjorden (0.49 ng/g dw). The wastewater effluent in Longyearbyen and a landfill site in Barentsburg had the highest pollution. None of the substance groups constitutes a risk to the marine ecosystem at the present concentrations; however the risk to individual organisms and a combined effect of the examined substances and other compounds which might be present in the fjords should not be excluded.