Antarctic-wide array of high-resolution ice core records reveals pervasive lead pollution began in 1889 and persists today.

ABSTRACT: Interior Antarctica is among the most remote places on Earth and was thought to be beyond the reach of human impacts when Amundsen and Scott raced to the South Pole in 1911. Here we show detailed measurements from an extensive array of 16 ice cores quantifying substantial toxic heavy metal lead pollution at South Pole and throughout Antarctica by 1889 - beating polar explorers by more than 22 years. Unlike the Arctic where lead pollution peaked in the 1970s, lead pollution in Antarctica was as high in the early 20(th) century as at any time since industrialization. The similar timing and magnitude of changes in lead deposition across Antarctica, as well as the characteristic isotopic signature of Broken Hill lead found throughout the continent, suggest that this single emission source in s

SUBMITTER: McConnell JR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5376174 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature