TY - JOUR

T1 - Polychlorinated Biphenyls in a Temperate Alpine Glacier

T2 - 2. Model Results of Chemical Fate Processes

AU - Steinlin, Christine

AU - Bogdal, Christian

AU - Pavlova, Pavlina A.

AU - Schwikowski, Margit

AU - Lüthi, Martin P.

AU - Scheringer, Martin

AU - Schmid, Peter

AU - Hungerbühler, Konrad

PY - 2015/12/15

Y1 - 2015/12/15

N2 - We present results from a chemical fate model quantifying incorporation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) into the Silvretta glacier, a temperate Alpine glacier located in Switzerland. Temperate glaciers, in contrast to cold glaciers, are glaciers where melt processes are prevalent. Incorporation of PCBs into cold glaciers has been quantified in previous studies. However, the fate of PCBs in temperate glaciers has never been investigated. In the model, we include melt processes, inducing elution of water-soluble substances and, conversely, enrichment of particles and particle-bound chemicals. The model is validated by comparing modeled and measured PCB concentrations in an ice core collected in the Silvretta accumulation area. We quantify PCB incorporation between 1900 and 2010, and discuss the fate of six PCB congeners. PCB concentrations in the ice core peak in the period of high PCB emissions, as well as in years with strong melt. While for lower-chlorinated PCB congeners revolatilization is important, for higher-chlorinated congeners, the main processes are storage in glacier ice and removal by particle runoff. This study gives insight into PCB fate and dynamics and reveals the effect of snow accumulation and melt processes on the fate of semivolatile organic chemicals in a temperate Alpine glacier.

AB - We present results from a chemical fate model quantifying incorporation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) into the Silvretta glacier, a temperate Alpine glacier located in Switzerland. Temperate glaciers, in contrast to cold glaciers, are glaciers where melt processes are prevalent. Incorporation of PCBs into cold glaciers has been quantified in previous studies. However, the fate of PCBs in temperate glaciers has never been investigated. In the model, we include melt processes, inducing elution of water-soluble substances and, conversely, enrichment of particles and particle-bound chemicals. The model is validated by comparing modeled and measured PCB concentrations in an ice core collected in the Silvretta accumulation area. We quantify PCB incorporation between 1900 and 2010, and discuss the fate of six PCB congeners. PCB concentrations in the ice core peak in the period of high PCB emissions, as well as in years with strong melt. While for lower-chlorinated PCB congeners revolatilization is important, for higher-chlorinated congeners, the main processes are storage in glacier ice and removal by particle runoff. This study gives insight into PCB fate and dynamics and reveals the effect of snow accumulation and melt processes on the fate of semivolatile organic chemicals in a temperate Alpine glacier.

KW - Chemistry

KW - Organic chemicals

KW - Polychlorinated biphenyls

KW - Alpine glacier

KW - Temperate glaciers

KW - glacier

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84950139963&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1021/acs.est.5b03304

DO - 10.1021/acs.est.5b03304

M3 - Journal articles

C2 - 26632968

AN - SCOPUS:84950139963

VL - 49

SP - 14092

EP - 14100

JO - Environmental Science & Technology

JF - Environmental Science & Technology

SN - 0013-936X

IS - 24

ER -