Scientists Kirsten Thompson and Action Coordinator Sini Saarela collect water and snow samples for PFA sampling in the waters around Elephant Island.

Scientists sample for PFAs (per- and poly-flouroalkyl substances) that are used in the clothing industry, especially for waterproofing fabrics. These persistent and man-made chemicals travel to Antarctica through the atmosphere from industrial areas.

Greenpeace is back in the Antarctic on the last stage of the Pole to Pole Expedition. We have teamed up with a group of scientists to investigate and document the impacts the climate crisis is already having in this area.

*This picture was taken in 2020 during the Antarctic leg of the Pole to Pole expedition under the Dutch permit number RWS-2019/40813.