ANALYTICAL APPROACHES, MONITORING AND CONSERVATION OF POLAR MARINE ENVIRONMENT

In the context of polar marine environments, the presence of emerging pollutants poses a significant threat to the delicate ecosystems. This doctoral course aims to address the intricate challenges associated with the sampling, detection and quantitative analysis of these emerging contaminants in polar seawaters.

The identification and quantification of pollutants such as pharmaceuticals, personal care products, UV filters and industrial chemicals in these extreme environments are crucial for understanding their impact on the polar ecosystems and, by extension, global environmental health. Participants will explore cutting-edge sampling techniques, including passive sampling, tailored to capture ultra-low concentrations of contaminants in cold and remote polar seas. The course emphasizes the significance of representative sample collection for a comprehensive understanding of the distribution and fate of emerging pollutants in these vulnerable ecosystems, taking also into account the practical difficulties encountered in such extreme environment. In this framework, another important and difficult step is the development of robust analytical methods capable of detecting these pollutants at ultra-low concentrations, nonetheless the sample matrix variability; therefore, the course will focus on state-of-the-art analytical techniques and instrumentation necessary to achieve reliable quantification and the inherent sensitivity required for detection.

In conclusion, this course will delve into the forefront of analytical techniques, discussing advancements in methodologies and instrumentation tailored to overcome all the mentioned challenges.