MADRID — A groundbreaking study by Spanish researchers has revealed that perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs), commonly known as “forever chemicals,” are accumulating in Southern Ocean waters surrounding Antarctica at concentrations comparable to those found in the North Atlantic Ocean, despite being thousands of kilometers from industrial pollution sources.
Groundbreaking Discovery Overturns Previous Understanding
The study, conducted jointly by the Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC) and the Institute of General Organic Chemistry (IQOG-CSIC) of Spain’s National Research Council (CSIC), provides the first conclusive evidence that PFAAs reach Antarctica through atmospheric transport rather than ocean currents—a finding that fundamentally challenges previous scientific assumptions about global pollutant distribution.
Researcher Jordi Dachs explained the significance: “Fifteen years ago, it was assumed that PFAS could not migrate to Antarctica by ocean currents. Today, this study shows they do reach Antarctica, but through atmospheric transport in the form of snowfall and rainfall. And importantly, in this distant part of our world, levels of PFAS in Antarctica’s environment are increasing.”
Key Findings
Transport Mechanisms
The research reveals that these persistent substances are delivered to the Antarctic Peninsula region through:
- Sea aerosols carried by atmospheric circulation
- Wet deposition via rain and snow
The Antarctic Circumpolar Current acts as an oceanic barrier, preventing PFAAs from entering or leaving Antarctica through ocean currents. Combined with low wind speeds that limit atmospheric export from the region, this creates a trap where atmospheric inputs exceed outputs, leading to progressive accumulation of these substances.
Contamination Levels
- PFAA concentrations in Antarctic waters mirror those found in North Atlantic regions
- Highest values were detected in water masses influenced by Brazilian and Argentine coastlines
- Coastal waters around the Antarctic Peninsula show rising contamination levels
Research Methodology
The research team conducted two oceanographic missions in 2021 and a third in 2022, collecting water samples along a transect from the North Atlantic to Antarctica. Standardized sampling methods were employed throughout to ensure data comparability and validity.
Environmental and Policy Implications
Global Concern
The findings provide crucial scientific support for the European Union’s proposal to restrict PFAS substances, currently under assessment by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). The study underscores:
- The urgent need to strengthen international agreements targeting PFAS emissions at their source
- The critical importance of chemical persistence in environmental risk assessments
- The global reach of these contaminants, affecting even the most remote regions of Earth
Monitoring Recommendations
The study’s authors recommend establishing combined ocean-atmosphere observation programs with monitoring stations at key latitudes to create time-series datasets for tracking contamination trends over time.
About PFAS
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) comprise a large family of highly persistent synthetic compounds used extensively for decades in numerous applications including food packaging, water-repellent clothing, and non-stick cookware coatings. Their water-repellent properties and extreme resistance to environmental degradation have earned them the nickname “forever chemicals,” as they have few, if any, natural breakdown pathways in the environment.
The discovery of significant PFAS contamination in one of Earth’s most pristine and isolated regions highlights the truly global scale of this environmental challenge and reinforces calls for immediate action to regulate these persistent pollutants at their source.
Source:
This news is based on research findings published in Communications Earth & Environment
Research paper: https://www.nature.com/articles/s43247-025-02535-3
