Global distillation

Global distillation or the Grasshopper effect is the geochemical process by which certain chemicals, most notably persistent organic pollutants (POPs), are vaporized and transported from warmer to colder regions of the Earth, particularly the poles and mountain tops, where they condense.

[3] Since then, relatively high concentrations of POPs have been found in the Arctic soil and water, as well as the bodies of animals and people who live there, even though most of the chemicals have not been used in the region in appreciable amounts.

Since global distillation is a relatively slow process that relies on successive evaporation/condensation cycles, it is only effective for semi-volatile chemicals that break down very slowly in the environment, like DDT, polychlorinated biphenyls, and lindane.

Species like polar bears, seals, and whales, which are top predators, accumulate high levels of POPs due to biomagnification—where these pollutants become more concentrated as they move up the food chain.

Global distillation also has significant consequences for human health, particularly in indigenous and remote communities that rely on traditional diets, such as fatty fish and marine mammals.

[10] Global distillation and climate change create a positive feedback loop that worsens environmental degradation, making it harder to mitigate the harmful impacts on biodiversity and human well-being.

[8] Moreover, satellite and remote sensing technologies enable better tracking of the movement and deposition of POPs, providing valuable data to inform mitigation strategies.

[7] By investing in innovative clean technologies and improving pollutant tracking systems, it is possible to reduce the long-range transport of harmful chemicals and limit their environmental impact.

There is also the possibility for policy implementation, which primarily focuses on the creation of international agreements and regulatory frameworks aimed at reducing the production and use of POPs.

[8] By enforcing stricter regulations on the manufacturing and disposal of these substances, countries can collectively work to reduce the chemicals released into the atmosphere and, subsequently, their transport to polar regions.