An overview on the legacy and risks of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) and Organochlorinated Pesticides (OCPs) in the polar regions

Zhang, P. and Wang, J. and Sweetman, A. and Ge, L. and Xing, R. and Ji, H. and Yan, J. and Xiao, Q. and Cui, Y. and Ma, H. and Xu, S. (2024) An overview on the legacy and risks of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) and Organochlorinated Pesticides (OCPs) in the polar regions. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 209 (Pt A): 117042. ISSN 0025-326X

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Abstract

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) and Organochlorinated Pesticides (OCPs) are ‘trapped’ in a variety of environmental media and can therefore undergo further processing by geochemical cycles. By reviewing a wide range of research studies, we present and discuss the main progresses that affect legacy contaminants, such as migration and transformation processes, biological effects assessment across all Arctic media. PCBs and OCPs demonstrated an overall decreasing concentration trend over time in the Arctic. Ecological risk assessment was undertaken by comparison with two standards, suggesting that there was no ecological risk in either soil or sediment. The concentrations of HCB, ΣHCHs, ΣDDTs, chlordane, mirex, and ΣPCBs increased with trophic levels (TLs), showing a significant linear correlation (P < 0.001). The calculated trophic magnification factors (TMFs) values ranged from 0.0004 to 26.63, among which DDTs had the highest value. Future research need to focus on the long-term fate of PCBs and OCPs.