Occurrence, Source Analysis, Correlation, and Ecological Risk Assessment of Persistent Toxic Substances in Soils of Ny-Ålesund in the Arctic

In this paper, the characteristics of persistent toxic substances (PTSs) in soil of Ny-Ålesund in the Arctic during the 10th Chinese Arctic (Arctic Ocean) scientific investigation were quantitatively analyzed. The sources and toxicity risks of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals in the soil were also analyzed. The total concentrations of 16 PAHs in the soils of Ny-Ålesund in the Arctic ranged from 10.44 ng·g −1 to 88.22 ng·g −1 , with an average content of 47.38 ng·g −1 . ALS05 had the highest concentration of 88.22 ng·g −1 . LMW-PAHs are the main PAHs in this region, mainly tricyclic PAHs. The results of characteristic ratio method and PCA showed that the PAHs in soil mainly came from petroleum source and petroleum combustion source, and incomplete combustion of coal and wood, and atmospheric transport contributed to some extent. The six heavy metals in the soil samples, including Cr, Cu, Zn, Ni, Hg, and Pb, were within the range of pollution-free status at all sampling sites. Only Cd and As were within the range of light and moderate pollution in some sampling sites. The Cu, Zn, and As in soil may be derived from the long distance transport and deposition of pollution gases produced by industrial activities, such as nonferrous metals and metal smelting. Studies on the correlation between PAHs and heavy metals showed that although both are PTSs, their properties and pathogenic mechanism differ, and their distribution status is not correlated. Continuous attention must be paid to the trend of PTS changes over the years in Ny-Ålesund in the Arctic to provide data and theoretical support for countries around the world to formulate corresponding prevention and control measures as soon as possible