Antarctica is considered as one of the most pristine areas on Earth. However, increasing rates of human
presence on the sixth continent makes it crucial to investigate the level of environmental pollution within
the vulnerable ecosystem of Antarctica. Soils have a significant role in processes of accumulation,
mobilization, redistribution of chemical, and especially, trace elements in landscapes and ecosystems. The
aim of this work was to analyze the levels of 17 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and 8 heavy metals
(HMs) in the vicinities of Russian Antarctic stations both in Eastern and Western Antarctica. Moreover, our
work is aimed to determine the trends and reasons of anthropogenic pollution of Antarctic soils and
characterization of accumulation levels of HMs and PAHs. Results show the predominance of light PAHs in
all studied sites with prevalence of low-molecular polyarenes. The content of benzo(a)pyrene does not
exceed the maximum permissible concentrations (adopted in Russia). 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. Generally, geoaccumulation index values for heavy metals were under or slightly
above the 0 level, indicating low to moderate pollution of the studied soils. However, considerable Igeo
values of Zn, Pb and Cu were revealed in several samples. Results obtained in our study are especially
relevant in sense of climate change effects as a long-term and gradual warming in Maritime Antarctica.