Antarctica is considered as one of the most pristine areas on Earth. However, increasing intensity of human presence on the sixth continent (scientific operations, functioning of the numerous scientific stations, tourism activities) makes it crucial to investigate the level of environmental pollution within the vulnerable ecosystem of Antarctica. Soils play a significant role in processes of accumulation, mobilization, redistribution of chemical elements within landscapes, and ecosystems. The aim of this work was to analyze the levels of 17 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and eight trace elements in soils of King George and Ardley islands, Western Antarctica. Moreover, our work was aimed to determine the trends and reasons of anthropogenic pollution of Antarctic soils and characterization of accumulation levels of trace elements and PAHs. Results showed the predominance of light PAHs in all studied sites. The content of benzo(a)pyrene does not exceed the threshold concentration (adopted by different national environmental legislation systems). At the same time, the content of benzo(a)pyrene, which is a marker of anthropogenic contamination, is relatively low or equal to 0 in soils of reference landscapes. Cu and Zn were found as most abundant elements in all studied soils. The highest lead concentration content has been described in soil from Bellingshausen station. In general term, obtained Igeo values for trace elements in all samples were under or slightly above the 0 level, indicating low to moderate pollution of the studied soils. This study also contributes new data on trace element accumulation in soils strongly influenced by ornithogenic factor. Principal component analysis allowed to estimate the probable sources of specific trace metals and their relationship with soil variables. Ornithogenic factor has been also revealed as a driver for some trace element accumulation especially in breeding penguin colonies. High contents of organic matter in ornithogenic habitats could increase trace metal mobility, environmental risks for surrounding terrestrial environments should be considered.

南极洲被认为是地球上最原始的地区之一。但是，第六大陆上人类活动的强度越来越高（科学活动，众多科学站的运作，旅游活动），因此至关重要的是调查脆弱的南极生态系统内的环境污染水平。土壤在景观和生态系统内化学元素的积累，动员，再分配过程中起着重要作用。这项工作的目的是分析南极西部的乔治国王和阿德利群岛的土壤中17种多环芳烃和8种微量元素的含量。此外，我们的工作旨在确定南极土壤人为污染的趋势和原因，以及微量元素和多环芳烃的积累水平的特征。结果显示在所有研究部位中轻型PAH占主导地位。苯并（a）exceed的含量不超过阈值浓度（由不同的国家环境法规体系采用）。同时，人为污染标志物苯并（a）re的含量在参考景观土壤中相对较低或等于0。铜和锌是所有研究土壤中最丰富的元素。贝灵斯豪森站的土壤中铅含量最高。一般而言，所有样品中痕量元素的Igeo值均低于0或略高于0，表明所研究土壤的污染程度为中低。这项研究也为受到鸟类因素影响的土壤中微量元素的积累提供了新的数据。主成分分析可以估算特定痕量金属的可能来源及其与土壤变量的关系。鸟类促生因子也被揭示为某些微量元素积累的驱动力，尤其是在繁殖企鹅群落中。鸟类生境中高含量的有机物可能增加痕量金属的迁移率，应考虑周围陆地环境的环境风险。