Abstract:

The pathway for trace metals entering the Arctic region includes ocean input, atmospheric transportation, river input, land runoff, and atmospheric deposition. This study analyzed the temporal trends of several trace metals in a variety of environmental media from the Arctic region. Among these trace metals, eight typical trace metals (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, and Zn) have been the focus of previous environmental monitoring. However, mining and smelting activities and the application of automobile catalysts have led to platinum group metals (including Pt, Pd, and Rh) potentially becoming serious pollutants. The results of this study showed that Pb and Hg, attributable to industrial development, present variation trends distinct from Cd, Zn, and Cu in the environmental media, and that Pt, Pd, and Rh concentrations evidence global pollution resulting from large-scale transportation from areas of human activity. The potential risks associated with As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Pb, and Zn are also assessed based on previously published scientific data on the levels of trace metals in surface sediments from areas within the Arctic Sea. It is concluded that concentrations of As, Cd, and Cu in the sediments across a large part of the Arctic Sea probably pose a threat to marine organisms. Concentrations of Hg, MeHg, and Zn in the organs of Arctic animals have been reported to be accumulating with trophic level, and this evidence of definite toxicity requires further study.

Key words: trace metal, platinum group metal, temporal trend, ecological risk, Arctic