Sunscreen agents are commonly used to protect our skin from harmful ultraviolet rays, but they may also have an unexpected impact on the environment. A new study has revealed that traces of these chemicals have been detected in the Arctic’s snow, especially on the glaciers of the Svalbard archipelago.
The study, conducted by researchers from Ca’ Foscari University of Venice and the Institute of Polar Sciences—National Research Council of Italy (CNR-ISP), in collaboration with the University Center in Svalbard (UNIS), aimed to present the first overview of the environmental presence of personal care products in the Arctic. The researchers collected snow samples from five glaciers located across the Brøggerhalvøya peninsula, between April and May 2021. The sites were chosen to represent different levels of human influence, from near settlements to more remote locations.
The analysis of the snow samples revealed the presence of various compounds, such as fragrance materials and UV filters, that are commonly used in cosmetics, perfumes, and sunscreens. “Many of the contaminants we have analyzed, such as Benzophenone-3, Octocrylene, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, and Ethylhexyl Salicylate had never been identified in Arctic snow before,” says Marianna D’Amico, a Ph.D. student in Polar Sciences at the Ca’ Foscari University of Venice.
The researchers found that these contaminants were mainly deposited in winter when night falls over the Arctic. This suggests that they originated from lower latitudes, where they were used by people, and were transported by atmospheric circulation to the polar regions. “The highest concentrations were found in winter deposition. At the end of winter, contaminated air masses from Eurasia reach the Arctic more easily,” explains Marco Vecchiato, a researcher in Analytical Chemistry at Ca’ Foscari.
Interestingly, the study also found that the distribution of some of these contaminants varied with altitude. Most of the compounds had higher concentrations at lower altitudes, except for Octocrylene and Benzophenone-3. These two UV filters, which are widely used in sunscreens, were more abundant on the glacier tops, indicating that they were more resistant to degradation and could travel longer distances.
The discovery of these emerging contaminants in the Arctic snow raises concerns about their potential harmfulness to the environment and wildlife. The researchers warn that these chemicals could affect the albedo of the snow, which is the measure of how much sunlight is reflected by a surface. A lower albedo means that more heat is absorbed, which could accelerate the melting of the glaciers and the sea ice. Moreover, these contaminants could also enter the food chain, as they could be ingested by animals or microorganisms that live in the snow or the ice.
Vecchiato pointed out an interesting aspect of UV filters in sunscreens. “The highest winter concentrations of these filters indicate that they come from inhabited continental regions at lower latitudes. In the Arctic winter, when the sun never rises, sunscreen use in Svalbard is almost non-existent.”
The research also showed that the distribution of these contaminants changes with altitude. Although most compounds were more concentrated at lower altitudes, Octocrylene and Benzophenone-3, both commonly found in sunscreens, were more prevalent at higher altitudes. This discovery suggests that they are transported from lower latitudes through atmospheric circulation.
Relevant articles:
– Trace Amounts of Sunscreen Found at North Pole
– Traces of sunscreen agents found in the snow at the North Pole
– Trace amounts of sunscreen found at the North Pole
– Traces of sunscreen agents found in the snow at the North Pole – Phys.org