Occurrence of the UV-filter 2-Ethylhexyl 4-methoxycinnimate (EHMC) in Antarctic snow: First results

The distribution of Personal Care Products in Antarctica is still far from being well documented. A pilot study was conducted to evaluate the presence of organic UV filters in Antarctica using GC-MS/MS. The 2-Ethylhexyl 4-methoxycinnimate (EHMC), also known as octinoxate, was detected for the first time in Antarctic surface snow, and also in snowmelt and ponds with concentrations from 0.4 ng/L up to 3.1 ng/L. In this pristine environment, human activities in scientific bases and facilities are a potential primary local source of EHMC. However, the results presented in this study suggest that long-range sources might also be responsible for the presence of EHMC in Antarctica. Considering the physicochemical properties of EHMC, long-range atmospheric transport is plausibly a relevant process involved in its deposition and accumulation in Antarctic snow. Two modelling studies on contaminants' long-range transport potential are compared to investigate the behaviour of EHMC in polar environments and its transport potential.