Halogenated ethane derivatives (HFC, HCFC) have been introduced as environmentally friendly CFC substitutes. Trifluoracetate (TFA) is a highly stable, atmospheric degradation product of these compounds and there is concern that the widespread introduction of HCFCs and HFCs will lead to the accumulation of TFA in aquatic ecosystems. Note that TFA has been shown to be toxic to some freshwater algae at higher concentrations. Indeed, our pilot data on TFA deposition at South Pole indicate a significant increase in TFA deposition in the late 1990s. However, data on pre-industrial, background concentrations of TFA in meteoric and surface waters are ambiguous and the impact of anthropogenic TFA on these background concentrations is unclear. We will develop a record of recent TFA deposition in Antarctica using year-round surface-snow, summer snow-pit, and ice-core samples collected at South Pole and, through participation in ITASE, in snow-pits and ice-cores in West Antarctica.

For primary and secondary school students and teachers, please see the ITASE web site at the Boston Museum of Science ( Secrets of the Ice/Boston Museum of Science). The site includes ITASE photos, biographies on project field person, first hand accounts of the field traverse and general descriptions on the scientific objectives and program.
 
 

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