‘Extreme Mass Spectrometry’: the role of mass spectrometry in the study of the Antarctic Environment

Abstract

A focus on the studies of the Antarctic environment that have been performed by mass spectrometry is presented herein; our aim is to give evidence of the essential role of this instrumental technique in the framework of the scientific research in Antarctica, with a comprehensive review on the main literature of the last two decades. Due to the wideness of the topic, the present review is limited to the determination of organic pollutants, natural molecules and biomarkers in Antarctica, thus excluding elemental analysis and studies on inorganic species. The work has been divided into five sections, on the basis of the considered environmental compartment: air; ice and snow; seawater, pack ice and lakes; soil and sediments; and organisms and biomarkers.

Element variability in lacustrine systems of Terra Nova Bay (Antarctica) and concentration evolution in surface waters

“…Anthropogenic volatile organic compounds, e.g. halocarbons, were found at ultra-trace level in air at Terra Nova Bay, but measurements were not enough to clearly distinguish emissions from the base and long distance transport (Magi and Tanwar, 2014). These findings suggest that contamination may eventually affect lake waters too, and highlight the need to monitor the concentrations of organic and inorganic pollutants in lacustrine areas; the availability of historical data series represents a useful reference point to identify future contaminations.…”

“…Indeed, in some specific areas increasing amounts of metals, pesticides and other pollutants have been detected and attributed to both the local research stations and tourism presence as well as to the transportation of pollutants from other continents (e.g. Bargagli, 2008;Grotti et al, 2016;Magi and Tanwar, 2014;Truzzi et al, 2017). Terra Nova Bay is an area located between Cape Washington and the Drygalski Ice Tongue, along the coast of Victoria Land (Peña Cantero et al, 2013) and is classified among Antarctic Specially Protected Areas (ASPAs).…”

Enantioresolution of Amino Acids: A Decade’s Perspective, Prospects and Challenges

“…Aib, a non-proteinogenic AA, functions as a highly specific marker. In 2014, Magi et al [146] published a review article stating the presence of certain AAs in Antarctic environment. Presence of AAs Aib (α-aminoisobutyric acid, 2-methylalanine) and dl-Iva (isovaline, 2-ethylalanine) has been seen in organic extracts of mycelia after total acidic hydrolysis and derivatization by GC/SlM-MS on Chirasill-Val column [147].…”