Diverging contaminant profiles and prokaryotic assemblages in Arctic and Antarctic lake sediments

Notably, the distinct contaminant signatures between regions appeared to be associated with shifts in microbial community composition, suggesting that both the type and intensity of POP and metal exposure may influence bacterial diversity and ecological functions in polar lake sediments. These findings provide a robust baseline for Arctic-Antarctic comparisons, positioning polar lakes as sensitive sentinels of contaminant-driven ecological change. They also underscore the urgent need for functional studies and long-term monitoring to evaluate ecosystem resilience under accelerating climate change.