Trace metals and persistent organic pollutants fingerprint on the particle flux in the deep subtropical NE Atlantic.

Particle flux material collected in 2000 m depth in the Northeast Atlantic at 33°N and 22°W was analyzed for trace metals and persistent organic pollutants. Element enrichment factors relative to lithogenic Al were elevated indicating possible anthropogenic contributions for all trace metals except V. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls and the pesticide DDT exhibited median fluxes of 10.40 µg m-2d-1,0.29 µg m-2 d-1, and 0.90 µg m-2 d-1, respectively. Flux composition reflected long range transport, with low molecular weight and low-chlorinated compounds dominating ∑15PAH and ∑23PCB. PAH isomer ratios identified fossil fuel combustion as the main ∑15PAH source. The composition of ∑4DDT suggested inputs of the fresh technical pesticide during high dust intensity periods. Pollutant fluxes showed seasonality linked to export production in the region, as well as a dependence on annual and sub-annual dust input events.