Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 7 hrs ago
Screen chemicals found in remote Arctic, Antarctic and Tibetan soils
Researchers found chemicals used in LCD and OLED screens in soil from the Arctic, Antarctica and the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau.
The team tested 55 samples collected on six Chinese expeditions between 2010 and 2022, and detected 42 display compounds.
Thirty-three compounds had higher levels in later samples than in earlier ones.
The plateau had the highest average concentration, though the amounts were tiny.
These remote regions have few local sources, so the findings point to chemicals that can travel through the air and persist outdoors.
The chemicals are still being made and sold, unlike pollutants that have already been banned.
Their persistence and ability to travel are traits an international treaty uses when considering which chemicals to restrict worldwide.
A study found chemicals used in LCD and OLED screens in soils from the Arctic, Antarctica and the Tibetan Plateau.
Researchers detected 42 of the 54 display compounds they tested for in 55 soil samples.
For 33 of the detected compounds, levels were higher in later samples than in earlier ones.
The researchers said the findings point to chemicals that persist outdoors and can travel through the air.
The samples were collected on six Chinese expeditions between 2010 and 2022.
- Who
- A research team led by Yanfen Hao, Pu Wang and Yong Liang at Jianghan University.
- What
- Researchers found chemicals used in LCD and OLED screens in remote soils.
- When
- Samples were collected between 2010 and 2022. The article was published on October 23, 2026.
- Where
- The Arctic, Antarctica and the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau.
- Why
- The researchers said the chemicals’ persistence and ability to travel through air could explain their presence in remote places.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Researchers collected soil samples from the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau.
Researchers collected samples in the Arctic and Antarctica.
Researchers returned to the Arctic for a second round of sampling.
Researchers collected a second set of samples from the plateau.
Researchers collected a second set of samples in Antarctica.
- Soil samples
- 55 samples collected on six Chinese expeditions
- Compounds tested
- 54 display compounds
- Compounds detected
- 42
- Compounds with higher later levels
- 33
- Highest regional average
- Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, 911 trillionths of a gram per gram of soil
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