Atmospheric deposition studies of heavy metals in Arctic by comparative analysis of lichens and cryoconite

Abstract

Lichens and cryoconite (rounded or granular, brownish-black debris occurring in holes on the glacier surface) from Ny-Ålesund were used for understanding the elemental deposition pattern in the area. Lichen samples collected from low-lying coastal region and cryoconite samples from high altitudinal glacier area were processed and analysed for elements such as aluminium (Al), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), cesium (Cs), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), vanadium (V) and zinc (Zn) through inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Results showed that heavy metals, Al and Fe, are present in high concentration in the cryoconite samples. Al was also present in high amounts in seven of the eight lichen samples studied. The general scheme of elements in the decreasing order of their concentrations for most of the cryoconite samples was Al > Fe > Mn > Zn > V > Pb > Cr > Ni > Cu > Co > As > Cs > Cd while that for the lichen samples was Al > Fe > Zn > Mn > Pb > Cu > Cs > Cr > Ni > V > Co > As > Cd. Similarity in trends in the two sample types confirms that the environment indeed contains these elements in that order of concentration which overtime got accumulated in the samples. Overall comparison showed most elements to be present in high concentrations in the cryoconite samples as compared to the lichen samples. Within the lichens, elemental accumulation data suggests that the low-lying site (L-2) from where Cladonia mediterranea sample was collected was the most polluted accumulating a number of elements at high concentrations. The probable reasons for such deposition patterns in the region could be natural (crustal contribution and sea salt spray) and anthropogenic (local and long-distance transmission of dust particles). In the future, this data can form a baseline for monitoring quantum of atmospheric heavy metal deposition in lichens and cryoconite of Svalbard, Arctic.

Antifreeze protein activity in Arctic cryoconite bacteria

“…Although Cryoconite organic matter from the Arctic has so far not been chemically characterized, a study from the Canadian Rocky Mountains suggest that the contents comprise fatty acids, n-alkanols, n-alkanes, wax esters, and sterols (Xu et al, 2010). During the summer months, the cryoconite holes act as a sink to the atmospheric dust and elements such as Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ , P, NO À 3 , C, Al, Fe, Mn, Zn, V, Pb, Cr, Ni, Cu, Co, As, Cs, Cd (Singh et al, 2013). The freezing and chilling ice-water interface system together with these organic and inorganic compounds may be causing osmotic stress to the inhabiting microorganisms in the cryoconite environment, thus affecting their survival.…”

“…These holes are rich in organic matter and form a unique habitat for microbial communities. Life in the cryoconite holes includes algae, cyanobacteria, bacteria, fungi, and rotifers (Xu et al, 2010), while the inorganic matter is a mixture of minerals and trace elements (Singh et al, 2013).…”

The Origin of Heavy Metals and Radionuclides Accumulated in the Soil and Biota Samples Collected in Svalbard, Near Longyearbyen

“…These regions are also sensitive to the current climate changes [2]. Studies have been carried out for many years in Svalbard on the pollution of various environmental matrices: soil [3], water, such as water from cryoconites [4], atmospheric aerosol, such as the determination of PCBs in the air, and other matrices sampled for analyses in the area of Ny-Ålesund -Western Spitsbergen [5]. Biomonitoring studies are being applied more and more frequently, in order to assess the pollution level of ecosystems, and they include the determination of the pollution accumulated in living organisms.…”

Airborne radionuclides and heavy metals in High Arctic terrestrial environment as the indicators of sources and transfers of contamination

“…These materials can be found in remote Earth locations like the polar cryosphere. Elevated radionuclide and heavy metal levels have been reported in Asian and European glaciers (Barbante et al, 2004;Aizen et al, 2009;Eyrikh et al, 2017;Baccollo et al, 2017) and in remote Arctic and Antarctic areas (Hur et al, 2007;Singh et al, 2013).…”