Vertical PFAS profiles in the central Arctic Ocean

This data set reports concentrations of several poly- and perfluorinated alkyl substances (PFASs) in vertical water column profiles from the central Arctic Ocean. Samples were collected in late 2012 on cruise ARK-XXII/3 on the RV Polarstern. The relative importance of atmospheric transport versus ocean currents for distributing poly- and perfluorinated alkyl substances (PFASs) to the Arctic Ocean is not well understood. Samples representing vertical water column profiles from the Central Arctic Ocean and shelf, plus snow and meltwater samples, were collected in 2012 and analyzed for various PFASs. Surface water concentrations of total PFASs in the Central Arctic Ocean ranged from 11-174 pg/L. In general, detection of PFASs was limited to 150m below surface, representing the polar mixed layer and halocline. More PFASs and at greater concentration were detected in melt pond water and snow samples when compared to those of water samples collected from the Arctic shelf and Ocean.