IntroductionPersistent organic pollutants (POPs) categorize a broad assemblage of environmentally toxic compounds and have gained notoriety in recent decades for their persistent presence within an ecosystem . Most POPs are lipophilic and allow them to bioaccumulate within an ecosystem, which can potentially cause lasting damage as they are transferred through the consumption of an organism's fats (Ritter et al. 1995). The chemical stability of POPs allows these substances to persist in an ecosystem for many years, either in soils or in animal tissues (Ritter et al. 1995). The recent detection of POPs in Arctic regions has raised concerns about the severity these toxins could pose to northern ecosystems (Letcher et al. 2010). Monitoring the quantity and rate at which POPs are released in the North is essential to understanding the extent of damage to ecosystems and to identifying areas for further research. Schmid et al. (2011) found that glacier-fed lakes contain higher levels of POPs than non-glacier-fed lakes, demonstrating the potential for reintroduction of these pollutants into the ecosystem. Another study by Blais et al. (2001) produced similar results as they detected higher levels of POPs in glacial streams compared to valley stream water and precipitation. Blais et al. also believes that free-suspended POPs in glacial waters are more widespread due to the low organic matter content of these waters; thus allowing them to travel further before being captured by soil or organic matter. The POPs targeted by this study are chlordane, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB). Chlordane, DDT, and PCBs have all been widely banned or reduced globally over the past decade...... middle of paper......, Bizzotto, E., Comolli, R. and Mr. Vighi. 2008. POPs in mountain soils of the Alps and Andes: suggestions for an effect of precipitation on altitude gradients. Water, Air and Soil Pollution 188(1-4): 93-109.Vos, JG, Dybing, E., Griem, HA, Ladefoged, O., Lambre, C., Tarazona, JV , Brant, I. and AD Véthaak. 2000. Health effects of endocrine disruptors on wildlife, with particular reference to the European situation. Critical Reviews in Toxicology, 30(1): 71-133. Wang, XP, Yao, TD, Wang, PL, Yang, W., and LD Tian. 2008. Recent deposition of persistent organic pollutants and mercury on the Dasuopu Glacier, Mount Xixiabangma, central Himalaya. Total Environmental Science 394:1134-143. Wania, F. and D. Mackay. 1993. Global fractionation and cold condensation of low-volatility organochlorine compounds in polar regions. Atmosphere, 22(1): 10-18.