Contaminants at Arctic formerly used defense sites

Abstract

This study was conducted in order to determine if the source of contaminants at formerly used defense sites (FUDS) in Alaska were deposited as a result of military occupancy or from long-­-distance transport. This determination largely influences whether remediation will occur, and, if so, to what extent. For this reason, plant samples (rinsed and unrinsed) and sediment cores were collected at military and remote sites on St. Lawrence Island (SLI) and Norton Sound, Alaska during the summers of 2002, 2006, and 2007 and analyzed for persistent organic pollutants. On St. Lawrence Island sediment core samples were collected at the Northeast Cape FUDS, also a traditional fishing/hunting camp, and were sectioned and analyzed for concentrations of Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners, Mirex, Dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE), Hexachlorobenzene (HCB), Mercury and Cesium-­-137 (137Cs). Differences in the total concentrations and distributions of PCB congeners, Mirex, DDE and Mercury in sediment cores and in plants collected from the two SLI and three Norton Sound mainland formerly used defense sites indicate the majority of the contaminants found can be temporally related to releases during military occupancy and subsequent redistribution of contaminants. Contaminants in plant samples at the SLI sites are elevated relative to the two remote sites located on St. Lawrence Island and the three mainland Norton Sound FUDS at Elim, Unalakleet, and Wales. The concentrations, lateral and vertical distribution of the total PCBs, and congener-­-specific differences in sediments and plants readily differentiate locally derived from globally transported contaminants. The relative contaminant concentrations in sediment cores and between rinsed and unrinsed plants collected from the NEC FUDS indicate contaminants were remobilized and redistributed during recent site remediation activities

Persistent Organochlorine Pesticide Exposure Related to a Formerly Used Defense Site on St. Lawrence Island, Alaska: Data from Sentinel Fish and Human Sera

“…Consumption of locally contaminated plants and animals may reasonably be expected to produce an increase in exposure. Plants and animals harvested in proximity of the NEC FUDS are contaminated with POPs, specifically PCBs, mirex and DDE (Scrudato et al 2012). There is also evidence that plants gathered from the military site are contaminated due to residual soil and dust particles which contain POPs (Scrudato et al 2012).…”

“…Plants and animals harvested in proximity of the NEC FUDS are contaminated with POPs, specifically PCBs, mirex and DDE (Scrudato et al 2012). There is also evidence that plants gathered from the military site are contaminated due to residual soil and dust particles which contain POPs (Scrudato et al 2012). Lack of detailed dietary information precludes further investigation into specific sources of pesticide residues.…”

“…POPs primarily arrive in the Arctic via long range transport and global distillation (Burkow and Kallenborn 2000). In some instances locally contaminated sites, such as formerly used defense sites (FUDS), act as point sources of contaminants (Burkow and Kallenborn 2000; Carpenter et al 2005; Scrudato et al 2012). Consumption of traditional subsistence foods, especially lipid-rich, high trophic level and long-lived animals such as pinnipeds and bowhead whales ( Balaena mysticetus ), is of central importance in the exposure of arctic indigenous peoples to POPs (Dewailly et al 1993; Bjerregaard et al 2001; Odland et al 2003).…”

“…Two FUDS exist on St. Lawrence Island in Gambell and NEC, and both are associated with environmental contamination (Scrudato et al 2012). Contamination in Gambell is composed primarily of diesel range organics, while NEC is contaminated with PCBs, diesel range organics, and to a lesser extent OC pesticides.…”

“…Contamination in Gambell is composed primarily of diesel range organics, while NEC is contaminated with PCBs, diesel range organics, and to a lesser extent OC pesticides. Mirex and DDE have been measured in NEC soil at low μg/kg concentrations (Scrudato et al 2012). It is unclear to what extent NEC increases exposure to POPs for St. Lawrence Island residents.…”