The role of the global cryosphere in the fate of organic contaminants
OPEN ACCESS
Loading...
Author / Producer
Date
2013
Publication Type
Journal Article
ETH Bibliography
yes
Citations
Altmetric
OPEN ACCESS
Data
Rights / License
Abstract
The cryosphere is an important component of global organic contaminant cycles. Snow is an efficient scavenger of atmospheric organic pollutants while a seasonal snowpack, sea ice, glaciers and ice caps are contaminant reservoirs on time scales ranging from days to millennia. Important physical and chemical processes occurring in the various cryospheric compartments impact contaminant cycling and fate. A variety of interactions and feedbacks also occur within the cryospheric system, most of which are susceptible to perturbations due to climate change. In this article, we review the current state of knowledge regarding the transport and processing of organic contaminants in the global cryosphere with an emphasis on the role of a changing climate. Given the complexity of contaminant interactions with the cryosphere and limitations on resources and research capacity, interdisciplinary research and extended collaborations are essential to close identified knowledge gaps and to improve our understanding of contaminant fate under a changing climate.
Permanent link
Publication status
published
External links
Editor
Book title
Journal / series
Volume
13 (6)
Pages / Article No.
3271 - 3305
Publisher
Copernicus
Event
Edition / version
Methods
Software
Geographic location
Date collected
Date created
Subject
Organisational unit
03402 - Hungerbühler, Konrad (emeritus) / Hungerbühler, Konrad (emeritus)