Comprehensive research of some semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) at very low levels in Lake and marine waters in Antarctica on-site by SBSE thermal desorption GC-MS/MS: Distribution, source apportionment, ecological and human health implication.

Antarctica is not immune to pollution, and Semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) in Antarctica's water systems can reach the continent through long-range atmospheric transport, ocean currents, and human activities. The aim of this study was investigated the distribution of SVOCs, including PAHs, PCBs, and OCPs, in Antarctic lake and marine waters, assesses their potential sources, and evaluates the ecological and human health risks. The collected water samples were pretreated on-site in Antarctica using the stir bar sorptive extraction (SBSE) method. Water samples (500 mL) were extracted overnight (16 h), the SVOCs retained in the stir bars were analyzed by Thermal Desorption gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) in a competent laboratory in Türkiye. The method successfully extracted compounds with log K values above 2. A total of 33 water samples were analyzed, revealing ΣPAH concentrations between 0.484 and 2.570 ng/L (mean: 1.168 ng/L), ΣPCB between 0.099 and 0.343 ng/L (mean: 0.219 ng/L), and ΣOCP between 0.162 and 1.338 ng/L. Naphthalene, benz(a)anthracene, phenanthrene, and fluorene were the predominant PAHs, while PCB 101, PCB 52, PCB 28, biphenyl, cypermethrin, and beta-HCH were dominant among PCBs and OCPs. Elevated concentrations were observed at M4, L4, L5, and L9. Diagnostic ratios suggest petrogenic sources, particularly fossil fuel combustion and ship transportation emissions. Risk assessment showed that RQ values for SVOCs were below 1 in all samples, indicating negligible environmental risk. Furthermore, BaPeq values confirmed no immediate carcinogenic threat. Health risk analysis suggested that exposure to these pollutants does not pose significant non-carcinogenic or carcinogenic risks to children or adults based on regulatory criteria.