Non-target and suspect screening reveal complex pattern of contamination in Arctic marine zooplankton

Abstract

Although increasing, there is still limited knowledge of the presence of ‘contaminants of emerging concern’ in Arctic marine biota, particularly in lower trophic species. In the present study, we have applied a novel pipeline to investigate the presence of contaminants in a variety of benthic and pelagic low-trophic organisms: amphipods, copepods, arrow worms and krill. Samples collected in Kongsfjorden in Svalbard in 2018 were subject to extraction and two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry (GC×GC-HRMS). Tentatively identified compounds included plastic additives, antioxidants, antimicrobials, flame retardants, precursors, production solvents and chemicals, insecticides, and pharmaceuticals. Both legacy contaminants (PAHs, PCBs, PBDEs, hexachlorobenzene) as well as novel and emerging contaminants (triclosan, bisphenol A, and ibuprofen) were quantified in several species using target analysis by GC–MS/MS. The significance of these discoveries is discussed considering the potential for detrimental effects caused by these chemicals, as well as suggested local and distant sources of the components to the Arctic environment.