Composition and Source Apportionment of Heavy Metals in Aerosols at the Great Wall Station, Antarctica

To elucidate the compositional characteristics and sources of heavy metals in aerosols at China’s Great Wall Station in Antarctica, high-volume aerosol sampling was conducted from 4 January to 26 December 2022, on Fildes Peninsula, King George Island. Ten heavy metals (V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, and Pb) in total suspended particulates (TSPs) were quantified via inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Enrichment factor (EF) analysis, correlation metrics, and backward trajectory clustering were integrated to identify potential sources. The results revealed pronounced enrichment (EF > 10) for Cr, As, Zn, Cd, and Pb, indicating dominant non-crustal contributions. Source apportionment identified three pathways: (1) long-range transported anthropogenic emissions, including Southern Hemisphere marine traffic (e.g., V and Ni from ship fuel combustion) and industrial pollutants from South America (Pb and Cd); (2) local anthropogenic sources, primarily diesel generators and tourism-related gasoline combustion (Cu and Zn); and (3) crustal inputs via glacial melt and weathering (Fe and Mn). This study pioneers the quantification of direct anthropogenic impacts (e.g., power generation and tourism) on aerosol heavy metals in Antarctic research zones, offering critical insights into transboundary pollutant dynamics and regional mitigation strategies.