Per- and poly-fluorinated alkyl substances (PFASs) have been investigated in various environmental compartments in the Arctic and Antarctica. Available data indicated that PFASs are ubiquitous and constitute one group of ‘forever chemicals’ in the pristine polar environment. Long-range environmental transport with oceanic currents and atmosphere are major pathways in which PFAS reach polar regions. Novel PFASs have been identified in the Arctic and Antarctic, such as hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid and fluorotelomer sulfonates (6:2 and 8:2 FTS), although these alternatives have just been produced as replacements of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) for a few years. Spatial distribution of PFASs showed declining trends from the continental sources to the polar oceans, suggesting ongoing discharge and transport processes. Elevated concentrations of PFAS often occur in the coastal areas of the Arctic and Antarctica, highlighting glacier melting and sea ice retreat act as secondary sources of PFASs.

全氟和多氟烷基物质 (PFAS) 已在北极和南极洲的不同环境分区中进行了研究。现有数据表明，PFAS 无处不在，是原始极地环境中的一组“永远的化学物质”。随洋流和大气的远距离环境迁移是PFAS到达极地地区的主要途径。北极和南极地区已发现新型 PFAS，例如六氟环氧丙烷二聚酸和氟调聚物磺酸盐（ 6:2 和 8:2 FTS），尽管这些替代品刚刚作为全氟辛烷磺酸 (PFOS) 的替代品而生产出来，全氟辛酸（PFOA）已经使用了几年。PFAS 的空间分布显示出从大陆来源到极地海洋的下降趋势，表明持续的排放和运输过程。北极和南极洲沿海地区经常出现 PFAS 浓度升高的情况，这突出表明冰川融化和海冰退缩是 PFAS 的次要来源。