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

    200502_131573_srep05848.pdf (1.343Mb)
    Access Status
    Open access
    Authors
    McConnell, J.
    Maselli, O.
    Sigl, M.
    Vallelonga, P
    Neumann, T.
    Anschϋtz, H.
    Bales, R.
    Curran, M.
    Das, S.
    Edwards, Peter
    Kipfstuhl, S.
    Layman, L.
    Thomas, E.
    Date
    2014
    Type
    Journal Article
    
    Metadata
    Show full item record
    Citation
    McConnell, J. and Maselli, O. and Sigl, M. and Vallelonga, P. and Neumann, T. and Anschϋtz, H. and Bales, R. et al. 2014. Antarctic-wide array of high-resolution ice core records reveals pervasive lead pollution began in 1889 and persists today. Scientific Reports. 4: Article ID 5848.
    Source Title
    Scientific Reports
    DOI
    10.1038/srep05848
    ISSN
    2045-2322
    School
    Department of Imaging and Applied Physics
    Remarks

    This article is published under the Open Access publishing model and distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ Please refer to the licence to obtain terms for any further reuse or distribution of this work

    URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/25241
    Collection
    • Curtin Research Publications
    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 20th 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 southern Australia was responsible for the introduction of lead pollution into Antarctica at the end of the 19th century and remains a significant source today. An estimated 660 t of industrial lead have been deposited over Antarctica during the past 130 years as a result of mid-latitude industrial emissions, with regional-to-global scale circulation likely modulating aerosol concentrations. Despite abatement efforts, significant lead pollution in Antarctica persists into the 21st century.

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