Release and Transport of Toxic, Mobile Organic Compounds (Formaldehyde and Phenols) on an Arctic Glacier

Abstract

As a result of current deglaciation, the chemical cycles of many compounds, including toxic formaldehyde and phenols, are changing. However, the processes by which these chemicals are released have yet to be studied in situ. Here, we quantify fluxes of HCHO and phenols in a glacial catchment within one summer season, obtaining a net release from the glacier of 0.106 · 10⁶ g formaldehyde and 0.255 · 10⁶ g phenols, which can be interpreted as a combined result of summer deposition and glacier ice melt. Formaldehyde flux was shown to increase by 164% on a 250 m stretch of the stream flowing through an icing (an exposed former glacier bed area), whilst phenols have shown a smaller increase of 48%. Hence, the importance of glacial forefields in chemical cycle of toxic compounds is pronounced and requires further attention.