Summer profiles: Tracing currently used organophosphorus pollutants in the surface seawater of the Arctic Ocean

Abstract

We investigate the spatial distribution and potential ecological impact of Currently Used Organophosphorus Pollutants (CUOPPs) in the Arctic Ocean, focusing on the East Siberian Sea, Laptev Sea, and high Arctic regions. Analyzing surface water samples collected during a scientific expedition aboard the “Xuelong 2” in August and September 2021, we detected 38 out of 83 targeted CUOPPs, including Phorate, Paraoxon, and Azinphos-ethyl, with concentrations exhibiting significant geographical variance. The results reveal a pronounced increase in CUOPP concentrations towards the Arctic poles, diverging markedly from the patterns observed in the East China Sea, thereby highlighting distinct regional pollution profiles and environmental interactions. Our findings suggest various potential sources and transport mechanisms for CUOPPs, indicating complex pollutant dynamics. Furthermore, the study delves into the influence of Arctic sea ice dynamics on the distribution patterns of CUOPPs, underscoring the pivotal role of environmental factors such as surface currents. Ecological risk assessments conducted for essential Arctic species pose a high ecological risk in the Arctic Ocean, with a “Summer Alert” effect. This investigation elucidates the intricate relationship between CUOPPs dispersal in the Arctic and the broader implications of climate change, offering critical insights into the emerging environmental challenges in polar ecosystems.