Academia.eduAcademia.edu

Outline

Title
Abstract
Introduction
Conclusion
References
All Topics
Environmental Science
Pollution

Microplastics in Polar Samples

Profile image of Giuseppe SuariaGiuseppe Suaria

2020, Rocha-Santos T., Costa M., Mouneyrac C. (eds) Handbook of Microplastics in the Environment. Springer, Cham

https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-10618-8_4-1
visibility

…

description

42 pages

link

1 file

Abstract

Microplastics are increasingly recognized as being globally widespread, but relatively little is known about the presence and abundance of microplastics in samples collected in Polar Regions. Here we review the current knowledge about microplastic occurrence and distribution in polar environments, with a particular focus on the relevance of the data and comparability between Arctic and Antarctic investigations. In the Arctic, microplastics have been found in seawater, marine sediments, ice, and snow and in the gut content of several species at different trophic levels. Antarctica is still, by far, the least affected region by human activity than anywhere else in the world, and the few studies carried out in this region find microplastics at very low concentrations. Studies focusing on microplastic threats to key species of Arctic and Antarctic marine food webs are urgently needed as are coordinated long-term studies on microplastic pollution, which are mandatory to follow the temporal trend of human impact in these remote regions.

Related papers

Macro- and Microplastics in the Antarctic Environment: Ongoing Assessment and Perspectives
roberto bargagli

Environments

The number of scientists and tourists visiting Antarctica is on the rise and, despite the management framework for environmental protection, some coastal areas, particularly in the Antarctic Peninsula region, are affected by plastic contamination. The few data available on the occurrence of microplastics (<5 mm) are difficult to compare, due to the different methodologies used in monitoring studies. However, indications are emerging to guide future research and to implement environmental protocols. In the surface and subsurface waters of the Southern Ocean, plastic debris >300 µm appears to be scarce and far less abundant than paint chips released from research vessels. Yet, near some coastal scientific stations, the fragmentation and degradation of larger plastic items, as well as microbeads and microfibers released into wastewater from personal care products and laundry, could potentially affect marine organisms. Some studies indicate that, through long-range atmospheric tra...

View PDFchevron_right
Microplastics in the Antarctic marine system: An emerging area of research
Cesar O. Pacherres, Claire Waluda, Bernabé Moreno

It was thought that the Southern Ocean was relatively free of microplastic contamination; however, recent studies and citizen science projects in the Southern Ocean have reported microplastics in deep-sea sediments and surface waters. Here we reviewed available information on microplastics (including macroplastics as a source of microplastics) in the Southern Ocean. We estimated primary microplastic concentrations from personal care products and laundry, and identified potential sources and routes of transmission into the region. Estimates showed the levels of microplastic pollution released into the region from ships and scientific research stations were likely to be negligible at the scale of the Southern Ocean, but may be significant on a local scale. This was demonstrated by the detection of the first microplastics in shallow benthic sediments close to a number of research stations on King George Island. Furthermore, our predictions of primary microplastic concentrations from local sources were five orders of magnitude lower than levels reported in published sampling surveys (assuming an even dispersal at the ocean surface). Sea surface transfer from lower latitudes may contribute, at an as yet unknown level, to Southern Ocean plastic concentrations. Acknowledging the lack of data describing microplastic origins, concentrations, distribution and impacts in the Southern Ocean, we highlight the urgent need for research, and call for routine, standardised monitoring in the Antarctic marine system.

View PDFchevron_right
Microplastic ingestion in zooplankton from the Fram Strait in the Arctic
Zara Botterell

2022

Some of the highest microplastic concentrations in marine environments have been reported from the Fram Strait in the Arctic. This region supports a diverse ecosystem dependent on high concentrations of zooplankton at the base of the food web. Zooplankton samples were collected during research cruises using Bongo and MOCNESS nets in the boreal summers of 2018 and 2019. Using FTIR scanning spectroscopy in combination with an automated polymer identification approach, we show that all five species of Arctic zooplankton investigated had ingested microplastics. Amphipod species, found in surface waters or closely associated with sea ice, had ingested significantly more microplastic per individual (Themisto libellula: 1.8, Themisto abyssorrum: 1, Apherusa glacialis: 1) than copepod species (Calanus hyperboreus: 0.21, Calanus glacialis/finmarchicus: 0.01). The majority of microplastics ingested were below 50 μm in size, all were fragments and several different polymer types were present. We quantified microplastics in water samples collected at six of the same stations as the Calanus using an underway sampling system (inlet at 6.5 m water depth). Fragments of several polymer types and anthropogenic cellulosic fibres were present, with an average concentration of 7 microplastic particles (MP) L −1 (0-18.5 MP L −1). In comparison to the water samples, those microplastics found ingested by zooplankton were significantly smaller, highlighting that the smaller-sized microplastics were being selected for by the zooplankton. High levels of microplastic ingestion in zooplankton have been associated with negative effects on growth, development, and fecundity. As Arctic zooplankton only have a short window of biological productivity, any negative effect could have broad consequences. As global plastic consumption continues to increase and climate change continues to reduce sea ice cover, releasing ice-bound microplastics and leaving ice free areas open to exploitation, the Arctic could be exposed to further plastic pollution which could place additional strain on this fragile ecosystem.

View PDFchevron_right
Microplastic accumulation in benthic invertebrates in Terra Nova Bay (Ross Sea, Antarctica)
beatrice rosso

Environment International

Microplastic contamination of the benthic invertebrate fauna in Terra Nova Bay (Ross Sea, Antarctica) was determined. Twelve macrobenthic species, characterized by different feeding strategies, were selected at 3 sampling sites at increasing distance from the Italian Scientific Base (Mario Zucchelli, Camp Icarus, Adelie Cove). The 83% of the analyzed macrobenthic species contained microplastics (0.01-3.29 items mg −1). The size of the particles, measured by Feret diameter, ranged from 33 to 1000 µm with the highest relative abundance between 50 and 100 µm. Filter-feeders and grazers displayed values of microplastic contamination from 3 to 5 times higher than omnivores and predators, leading to the hypothesis that there is no evident bioaccumulation through the food web. The prevalent polymers identified by micro-FTIR were nylon (86%) and polyethylene (5%); other polymers identified in Antarctic benthos were polytetrafluoroethylene, polyoxymethylene, phenolic resin, polypropylene, polystyrene resin and XT polymer.

View PDFchevron_right
Microplastics in sea ice and seawater beneath ice floes from the Arctic Ocean
La Daana Kanhai

Scientific Reports

Within the past decade, an alarm was raised about microplastics in the remote and seemingly pristine Arctic Ocean. To gain further insight about the issue, microplastic abundance, distribution and composition in sea ice cores (n = 25) and waters underlying ice floes (n = 22) were assessed in the Arctic Central Basin (ACB). Potential microplastics were visually isolated and subsequently analysed using Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) Spectroscopy. Microplastic abundance in surface waters underlying ice floes (0–18 particles m−3) were orders of magnitude lower than microplastic concentrations in sea ice cores (2–17 particles L−1). No consistent pattern was apparent in the vertical distribution of microplastics within sea ice cores. Backward drift trajectories estimated that cores possibly originated from the Siberian shelves, western Arctic and central Arctic. Knowledge about microplastics in environmental compartments of the Arctic Ocean is important in assessing the potential thre...

View PDFchevron_right
Microplastic pollution in a rapidly changing world: Implications for remote and vulnerable marine ecosystems
David Barnes

Science of the Total Environment, 2020

Ecosystems in remote regions tend to be highly specific, having historically evolved over long timescales in relatively constant environmental conditions, with little human influence. Such regions are amongst those most physically altering and biologically threatened by global climate change. In addition, they are increasingly receiving anthropogenic pollution. Microplastic pollution has now been found in these most remote places on earth, far from most human activities. Microplastics can induce complex and wide-ranging physical and chemical effects but little to date is known of their long-term biological impacts. In combination with climate-induced stress, microplastics may lead to enhancedmulti-stress impacts, potentially affecting the health and resilience of species and ecosystems. While species in historically populated areas have had some opportunity to adapt to mounting human influence over centuries and millennia, the relatively rapid intensification of widespread anthropogenic activities in recent decades has provided species in previously ‘untouched’ regions little such opportunities. The characteristics of remote ecosystems and the species therein suggest that they could be more sensitive to the combined effects of microplastic pollution, global physical change and other stressors than elsewhere. Here we discuss how species and ecosystems within two remote yet contrasting regions, coastal Antarctica and the deep sea, might be especially vulnerable to harm from microplastic pollution in the context of a rapidly changing environment.

View PDFchevron_right
Microplastic contamination in the western Arctic water column: A transition from pristine to polluted
Takahito IKENOUE

Chemosphere, 2025

View PDFchevron_right
Close Encounters - Microplastic availability to pelagic amphipods in sub-Antarctic and Antarctic surface waters
Tamara Galloway

Environment International, 2020

This study investigated the distribution of plastic debris from the Atlantic portion of the Sub-Antarctic to the Antarctic Peninsula. This region is home to some of the highest concentrations of zooplankton biomass but is also threatened by increasing shipping traffic from fishing and the growing tourism market. Samples were collected using a surface-towed neuston net during the Austral summer 2018, aboard the RRS James Clark Ross. Using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometry it was found that 45.6% of the plastic particles isolated from seawater samples were sampling contamination, originating predominantly from the ship. Of the remaining particles, both low density (polyethylene, polypropylene) and high-density (phenoxy and epoxy resins) polymers were found in the surface water suggesting both long-range and local sources of origin. Whilst we found that micro and mesoplastic concentrations in seawater were significantly low (0.013 ± 0.005n/m 3 ) compared to global averages, they were higher along the Antarctic Peninsula than the open ocean (Sub-Antarctic) stations. The potential availability of micro and mesoplastics (MP) to pelagic amphipods was explored, using an observed encounter rate (OER) and a possible encounter rate (PER). The total OER (0.8%) was higher than the PER (0.15%), suggesting that even at low concentrations, microplastics are encountered, and potentially consumed, by amphipods. This study highlights the need to prioritise regions of high zooplankton abundance and to investigate both water and biota to build up a picture of plastic pollution and its potential interaction with the Antarctic Ecosystem.

View PDFchevron_right
Microplastics in sub-surface waters of the Arctic Central Basin
Richard Thompson

Marine pollution bulletin, 2018

Polar oceans, though remote in location, are not immune to the accumulation of plastic debris. The present study, investigated for the first time, the abundance, distribution and composition of microplastics in sub-surface waters of the Arctic Central Basin. Microplastic sampling was carried out using the bow water system of icebreaker Oden (single depth: 8.5 m) and CTD rosette sampler (multiple depths: 8-4369 m). Potential microplastics were isolated and analysed using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR). Bow water sampling revealed that the median microplastic abundance in near surface waters of the Polar Mixed Layer (PML) was 0.7 particles m. Regarding the vertical distribution of microplastics in the ACB, microplastic abundance (particles m) in the different water masses was as follows: Polar Mixed Layer (0-375) > Deep and bottom waters (0-104) > Atlantic water (0-95) > Halocline i.e. Atlantic or Pacific (0-83).

View PDFchevron_right
High Quantities of Microplastic in Arctic Deep-Sea Sediments from the HAUSGARTEN Observatory
Melanie Bergmann

Environmental Science & Technology, 2017

Although mounting evidence suggests the ubiquity of microplastic in aquatic ecosystems worldwide, our knowledge of its distribution in remote environments such as Polar Regions and the deep sea is scarce. Here, we analyzed nine sediment samples taken at the HAUSGARTEN observatory in the Arctic at 2340−5570 m depth. Density separation by MicroPlastic Sediment Separator and treatment with Fenton's reagent enabled analysis via Attenuated Total Reflection FTIR and μFTIR spectroscopy. Our analyses indicate the wide spread of high numbers of microplastics (42−6595 microplastics kg −1). The northernmost stations harbored the highest quantities, indicating sea ice as a possible transport vehicle. A positive correlation between microplastic abundance and chlorophyll a content suggests vertical export via incorporation in sinking (ice-) algal aggregates. Overall, 18 different polymers were detected. Chlorinated polyethylene accounted for the largest proportion (38%), followed by polyamide (22%) and polypropylene (16%). Almost 80% of the microplastics were ≤25 μm. The microplastic quantities are among the highest recorded from benthic sediments. This corroborates the deep sea as a major sink for microplastics and the presence of accumulation areas in this remote part of the world, fed by plastics transported to the North via the Thermohaline Circulation.

View PDFchevron_right

References (127)

  1. Absher TM, Ferreira SL, Kern Y, Ferreira AL, Christo SW, Ando RA (2019) Incidence and identification of microfibers in ocean waters in Admiralty Bay, Antarctica. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 26(1):292-298. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-018-3509-6
  2. Allen S, Allen D, Phoenix VR, Le Roux G, Jiménez PD, Simonneau A et al (2019) Atmospheric transport and deposition of microplastics in a remote mountain catchment. Nat Geosci 12 (5):339-344. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41561-019-0335-5
  3. Ambrosini R, Azzoni RS, Pittino F, Diolaiuti G, Franzetti A, Parolini M (2019) First evidence of microplastic contamination in the supraglacial debris of an alpine glacier. Environ Pollut 253:297-301. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2019.07.005
  4. Amélineau F, Bonnet D, Heitz O, Mortreux V, Harding AM, Karnovsky N et al (2016) Microplastic pollution in the Greenland Sea: background levels and selective contamination of planktivorous diving seabirds. Environ Pollut 219:1131-1139
  5. Andrady AL (2015) Persistence of plastic litter in the oceans. In: Marine anthropogenic litter. Springer, Cham, pp 57-72
  6. Anisimov O, Fitzharris B, Hagen JO, Jefferies R, Marchant H, Nelson F et al (2007) Polar regions (Arctic and Antarctic). In: Climate change: impacts, adaptation, and vulnerability. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp 801-841
  7. Arctic Council (2009) Arctic marine shipping assessment 2009 report no 194
  8. Arnould JP, Croxall JP (1995) Trends in entanglement of Antarctic fur seals (Arctocephalus gazella) in man-made debris at South Georgia. Mar Pollut Bull 30(11):707-712
  9. Aronson RB, Thatje S, McClintock JB, Hughes KA (2011) Anthropogenic impacts on marine ecosystems in Antarctica. Ann N Y Acad Sci 1223(1):82-107
  10. Auman HJ, Woehler EJ, Riddle MJ, Burton H (2004) First evidence for ingestion of plastic debris by seabirds at sub-Antarctic Heard Island. Mar Ornithol 32:105-106
  11. Barber HN, Dadswell HE, Ingle HD (1959) Transport of driftwood from South America to Tasmania and Macquarie Island. Nature 184(4681):203-204
  12. Barker PF, Thomas E (2004) Origin, signature and palaeoclimatic influence of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current. Earth Sci Rev 66(1-2):143-162
  13. Barnes DK, Fraser KP (2003) Rafting by five phyla on man-made flotsam in the Southern Ocean. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 262:289-291
  14. Barnes DK, Galgani F, Thompson RC, Barlaz M (2009) Accumulation and fragmentation of plastic debris in global environments. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 364(1526):1985-1998
  15. Barrows APW, Cathey SE, Petersen CW (2018) Marine environment microfiber contamination: global patterns and the diversity of microparticle origins. Environ Pollut 237:275-284
  16. Bergmann M, Wirzberger V, Krumpen T, Lorenz C, Primpke S, Tekman MB, Gerdts G (2017) High quantities of microplastic in Arctic deep-sea sediments from the HAUSGARTEN observatory. Environ Sci Technol 51(19):11000-11010. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.7b03331
  17. Bergmann M, Mützel S, Primpke S, Tekman MB, Trachsel J, Gerdts G (2019) White and wonderful? Microplastics prevail in snow from the Alps to the Arctic. Sci Adv 5(8): eaax1157. https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aax1157
  18. Bessa F, Ratcliffe N, Otero V, Sobral P, Marques JC, Waluda CM et al (2019) Microplastics in gentoo penguins from the Antarctic region. Sci Rep 9(1):1-7. https://doi.org/10.1038/ s41598-019-50621-2
  19. Bourdages MP, Provencher JF, Sudlovenick E, Ferguson SH, Young BG, Pelletier N, Murphy MJ, D'Addario A, Vermaire JC (2020) No plastics detected in seal (Phocidae) stomachs harvested in the eastern Canadian Arctic. Mar Pollut Bull 150:110772
  20. Bråte ILN, Hurley Ra, Lusher A, Buenaventura N, Halsband C, Green N (2020) Microplastics in marine bivalves from the Nordic environment. Norwegian Environment Agency publication series M-1629|2020. Nordic Council of Ministers, TemaNord report TN2020:504. https://doi. org/10.6027/TemaNord2020-504
  21. CIA (2020) The world factbook. Central Intelligence Agency, Washington, DC. https://www.cia. gov/library/publications/resources/the-world-factbook/index.htm. Accessed 17 Mar 2020
  22. Cincinelli A, Scopetani C, Chelazzi D, Lombardini E, Martellini T, Katsoyiannis A et al (2017) Microplastic in the surface waters of the Ross Sea (Antarctica): occurrence, distribution and characterization by FTIR. Chemosphere 175:391-400. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere. 2017.02.024
  23. Coombs DS, Landis CA (1966) Pumice from the South Sandwich eruption of March 1962 reaches New Zealand. Nature 209:289-290. https://doi.org/10.1038/209289b0
  24. Cózar A, Echevarría F, González-Gordillo JI, Irigoien X, Úbeda B, Hernández-León S et al (2014) Plastic debris in the open ocean. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 111(28):10239-10244
  25. Cózar A, Martí E, Duarte CM, García-de-Lomas J, van Sebille E, Ballatore TJ, Eguíluz VM, González-Gordillo JI, Pedrotti ML, Echevarría F, Troublè R, Irigoien X (2017) The Arctic Ocean as a dead end for floating plastics in the North Atlantic branch of the thermohaline circulation. Sci Adv 3(4):e1600582. https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.1600582
  26. Dawson AL, Kawaguchi S, King CK, Townsend KA, King R, Huston WM, Nash SMB (2018) Turning microplastics into nanoplastics through digestive fragmentation by Antarctic krill. Nat Commun 9(1):1-8. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-018-03465-9
  27. Day RH, Shaw DG (1987) Patterns in the abundance of pelagic plastic and tar in the North Pacific Ocean 1976-1985. Mar Pollut Bull 18(6):311-316
  28. Day RH, Shaw DG, Ignell SE (1990) The quantitative distribution and characteristics of neuston plastic in the North Pacific Ocean, 1984-1988. In: Shomura RS, Godfrey ML (eds) Proceedings of the second international conference on marine debris, April 2-7, 1989, Honolulu. U.S. Department of Commerce, NOAA technical memorandum. NMFS, NOAA-TMNMFS- SWFC-154, pp 247-266
  29. Dehnhard N, Herzke D, Gabrielsen GW, Anker-Nilssen T, Ask A, Christensen-Dalsgaard S et al (2019) Seabirds as indicators of distribution, trends and population level effects of plastics in the Arctic marine environment. Workshop report. NINA report 1719. Norwegian Institute for Nature Research
  30. Desforges JP, Galbraith M, Ross P (2015) Ingestion of microplastics by zooplankton in the Northeast Pacific Ocean. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 69:320-330. https://doi.org/10.1007/ s00244-015-0172-5
  31. Dippo B (2012) Microplastics in the coastal environment of West Iceland. Master thesis, University Centre of the Westfjord, Iceland. https://skemman.is/bitstream/1946/12287/1/Microplastic_ secure.pdf
  32. Doyle MJ, Watson W, Bowlin NM, Sheavly SB (2011) Plastic particles in coastal pelagic ecosys- tems of the Northeast Pacific ocean. Mar Environ Res 71:41-52
  33. Enyoh CE, Verla AW, Verla EN, Ibe FC, Amaobi CE (2019) Airborne microplastics: a review study on method for analysis, occurrence, movement and risks. Environ Monit Assess 191(11):668
  34. Eriksen M, Lebreton LC, Carson HS, Thiel M, Moore CJ, Borerro JC et al (2014) Plastic pollution in the world's oceans: more than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250,000 tons afloat at sea. PLoS One 9(12):e111913. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0111913
  35. Eriksson C, Burton H (2003) Origins and biological accumulation of small plastic particles in fur seals from Macquarie Island. AMBIO J Hum Environ 32(6):380-384
  36. Eriksson C, Burton H, Fitch S, Schulz M, van den Hoff J (2013) Daily accumulation rates of marine debris on sub-Antarctic island beaches. Mar Pollut Bull 66(1-2):199-208
  37. Fang C, Zheng R, Zhang Y, Hong F, Mu J, Chen M et al (2018) Microplastic contamination in benthic organisms from the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions. Chemosphere 209:298-306
  38. Fossi MC, Panti C, Guerranti C, Coppola D, Giannetti M, Marsili L, Minutoli R (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics? A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus). Mar Pollut Bull 64(11):2374-2379
  39. Fraser CI, Kay GM, Plessis MD, Ryan PG (2016) Breaking down the barrier: dispersal across the Antarctic Polar Front. Ecography 40(1):235-237. https://doi.org/10.1111/ecog.02449
  40. Geilfus NX, Munson KM, Sousa J, Germanov Y, Bhugaloo S, Babb D, Wang F (2019) Distribution and impacts of microplastic incorporation within sea ice. Mar Pollut Bull 145:463-473
  41. Granberg M, Winberg von Friesen L, Bach L, Collard F, Strand J, Gabrielsen GW (2019) Anthropogenic microlitter in wastewater and marine samples from Ny-Ålesund, Barentsburg and Signehamna, Svalbard. IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute, report C373
  42. Gregory MR, Kirk RM, Mabin MCG (1984) Pelagic tar, oil, plastics and other litter in surface waters of the New Zealand sector of the Southern Ocean, and on Ross Dependency shores. Antarct Rec NZ 6(1):12-28
  43. Grover-Johnson O (2018) Microplastics in the Southern Ocean: findings from the continuous plankton recorder in the Ross Sea and the East Antarctic regions. Supervised project report (ANTA604). PCAS 20 (2017/2018)
  44. Halsband C, Herzke D (2019) Plastic litter in the European Arctic: what do we know? Emerg Contam 5:308-318
  45. Harper PC, Fowler JA (1987) Plastic pellets in New Zealand storm-killed prions (Pachyptila spp.) 1958-1977. Notornis 34:65-70
  46. Hermsen E, Mintenig SM, Besseling E, Koelmans AA (2018) Quality criteria for the analysis of microplastic in biota samples: a critical review. Environ Sci Technol 52(18):10230-10240
  47. Hofmeyr G, De Maine M, Beste M, Kirkman S, Pistorius P, Makhado A (2002) Entanglement of pinnipeds at Marion Island, Southern Ocean: 1991-2001. Aust Mammal 24(1):141-146
  48. Holmes RM, McClelland JW, Peterson BJ, Tank SE, Bulygina E, Eglinton TI et al (2012) Seasonal and annual fluxes of nutrients and organic matter from large rivers to the Arctic Ocean and surrounding seas. Estuar Coast 35(2):369-382
  49. Horton AA, Walton A, Spurgeon DJ, Lahive E, Svendsen C (2017) Microplastics in freshwater and terrestrial environments: evaluating the current understanding to identify the knowledge gaps and future research priorities. Sci Total Environ 586:127-141
  50. IAATO -International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (2019) IAATO overview of Antarctic tourism: 2018-19 season and preliminary estimates for 2019-20 season. Information paper 140. Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting XLII, Prague. https://www.ats.aq/devAS/ats_ meetings_documents.aspx?lang¼e
  51. Iannilli V, Pasquali V, Setini A, Corami F (2019) First evidence of microplastics ingestion in benthic amphipods from Svalbard. Environ Res 179(Part A):108811. https://doi.org/10.1016/j. envres.2019.108811
  52. Isobe A, Uchiyama-Matsumoto K, Uchida K, Tokai T (2017) Microplastics in the Southern Ocean. Mar Pollut Bull 114(1):623-626. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.09.037
  53. Ivar do Sul JAI, Barnes DK, Costa MF, Convey P, Costa ES, Campos LS (2011) Plastics in the Antarctic environment: are we looking only at the tip of the iceberg? Oecol Aust 15(1):150-170
  54. Jiang Y, Yang F, Zhao Y, Wang J (2020) Greenland Sea Gyre increases microplastic pollution in the surface waters of the Nordic Seas. Sci Total Environ 712:136484. https://doi.org/10.1016/j. scitotenv.2019.136484
  55. Kallenborn R (2016) Implications and consequences of anthropogenic pollution in polar environments. Springer Science & Business Media, Berlin
  56. Kanhai LDK, Gårdfeldt K, Lyashevska O, Hassellöv M, Thompson RC, O'Connor I (2018) Microplastics in sub-surface waters of the Arctic Central Basin. Mar Pollut Bull 130:8-18. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.03.011
  57. Kanhai LDK, Johansson C, Frias JPGL, Gardfeldt K, Thompson RC, O'Connor I (2019) Deep sea sediments of the Arctic Central Basin: a potential sink for microplastics. Deep Sea Res I Oceanogr Res Pap 145:137-142. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dsr.2019.03.003
  58. Kanhai LDK, Gardfeldt K, Krumpen T et al (2020) Microplastics in sea ice and seawater beneath ice floes from the Arctic Ocean. Sci Rep 10:5004. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-61948-6
  59. Kühn S, Schaafsma FL, van Werven B, Flores H, Bergmann M, Egelkraut-Holtus M, Tekman MB, van Franeker JA (2018) Plastic ingestion by juvenile polar cod (Boreogadus saida) in the Arctic Ocean. Polar Biol 41:1269-1278. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-018-2283-8
  60. Kuklinski P, Wicikowski L, Koper M, Grala T, Leniec-Koper H, Barasiński M et al (2019) Offshore surface waters of Antarctica are free of microplastics, as revealed by a circum-Antarctic study. Mar Pollut Bull 149:110573. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.110573
  61. Lacerda ALDF, Rodrigues LDS, van Sebille E, Rodrigues FL, Ribeiro L, Secchi ER et al (2019) Plastics in sea surface waters around the Antarctic Peninsula. Sci Rep 9(1):1-12. https://doi.org/ 10.1038/s41598-019-40311-4
  62. Laganà P, Caruso G, Corsi I, Bergami E, Venuti V, Majolino D et al (2019) Do plastics serve as a possible vector for the spread of antibiotic resistance? First insights from bacteria associated to a polystyrene piece from King George Island (Antarctica). Int J Hyg Environ Health 222 (1):89-100
  63. Larsen JN, Fondahl G (eds) (2015) Arctic human development report: regional processes and global linkages. Nordic Council of Ministers, Copenhagen. https://doi.org/10.6027/TN2014-567
  64. Le Guen C, Suaria G, Sherley RB, Ryan PG, Aliani S, Boehme L, Brierley AS (2020) Microplastic study reveals the presence of natural and synthetic fibres in the diet of king penguins (Aptenodytes patagonicus) foraging from South Georgia. Environ Int 134:105303
  65. Lebreton LC, Van Der Zwet J, Damsteeg JW, Slat B, Andrady A, Reisser J (2017) River plastic emissions to the world's oceans. Nat Commun 8:15611
  66. Leclerc L-ME, Lydersen C, Haug T, Bachmann L, Fisk AT, Kovacs KM (2012) A missing piece in the Arctic food web puzzle? Stomach contents of Greenland sharks sampled in Svalbard, Norway. Polar Biol 35:1197-1208
  67. Li C, Busquets R, Campos LC (2019) Assessment of microplastics in freshwater systems: a review. Sci Total Environ 707:135578. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.135578
  68. Liboiron M, Melvin J, Richárd N, Saturno J, Ammendolia J, Liboiron F, Charron L, Mather C (2019) Low incidence of plastic ingestion among three fish species significant for human consumption on the island of Newfoundland, Canada. Mar Pollut Bull 141:244-248. https://doi. org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.02.057
  69. Loeng H, Brander K, Carmack E, Denisenko S, Drinkwater K, Hansen B et al (2005) Chapter 8, Marine systems. In: Arctic climate impact assessment. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp 451-538
  70. Lots FA, Behrens P, Vijver MG, Horton AA, Bosker T (2017) A large-scale investigation of microplastic contamination: abundance and characteristics of microplastics in European beach sediment. Mar Pollut Bull 123(1-2):219-226
  71. Lusher AL, Hernandez-Milian G (2018) Microplastic extraction from marine vertebrate digestive tracts, regurgitates and scats: a protocol for researchers from all experience levels. Bio-protocol 8(22). https://doi.org/10.21769/BioProtoc.3086
  72. Lusher A, Tirelli V, O'Connor I, Officer R (2015) Microplastics in Arctic polar waters: the first reported values of particles in surface and sub-surface samples. Sci Rep 5:14947. https://doi.org/ 10.1038/srep14947
  73. Mai L, Bao LJ, Wong CS, Zeng EY (2018) Microplastics in the terrestrial environment. In: Microplastic contamination in aquatic environments. Elsevier, San Diego, pp 365-378
  74. Markic A, Gaertner JC, Gaertner-Mazouni N, Koelmans AA (2019) Plastic ingestion by marine fish in the wild. Crit Rev Environ Sci Technol 1-41. https://doi.org/10.1080/10643389.2019. 1631990
  75. Martin AR, Clarke MR (1986) The diet of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) captured between Iceland and Greenland. J Mar Biol Assoc UK 66(4):779-790
  76. McBride MM, Dalpadado P, Drinkwater KF, Godø OR, Hobday AJ, Hollowed AB et al (2014) Krill, climate, and contrasting future scenarios for Arctic and Antarctic fisheries. ICES J Mar Sci 71(7):1934-1955. https://doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fsu002
  77. Merrell TR Jr (1980) Accumulation of plastic litter on beaches of Amchitka Island, Alaska. Mar Environ Res 3(3):171-184
  78. Moore RC, Loseto L, Noel M, Etemadifar A, Brewster JD, MacPhee S, Bendell L, Ross PS (2020) Microplastics in beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) from the Eastern Beaufort Sea. Mar Pollut Bull 150:110723. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.110723
  79. Morgana S, Ghigliotti L, Estévez-Calvar N, Stifanese R, Wieckzorek A, Doyle T, Christiansen JS, Faimali M, Garaventa F (2018) Microplastics in the Arctic: a case study with sub-surface water and fish samples off Northeast Greenland. Environ Pollut 242:1078-1086. https://doi.org/ 10.1016/j.envpol.2018.08.001
  80. Møskeland T, Knutsen H, Arp HP, Lilleeng Ø, Pettersen A (2018) Microplastics in sediments on the Norwegian continental shelf. Report for the Norwegian Environment Agency (Miljødirektoratet). Report number M-976
  81. Mu J, Zhang S, Qu L, Jin F, Fang C, Ma X, Zhang W, Wang J (2019a) Microplastics abundance and characteristics in surface waters from the Northwest Pacific, the Bering Sea, and the Chukchi Sea. Mar Pollut Bull 143:58-65. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.04.023
  82. Mu J, Qu L, Jin F, Zhang S, Fang C, Ma X et al (2019b) Abundance and distribution of microplastics in the surface sediments from the northern Bering and Chukchi Seas. Environ Pollut 245:122-130. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2018.10.097
  83. Munari C, Infantini V, Scoponi M, Rastelli E, Corinaldesi C, Mistri M (2017) Microplastics in the sediments of Terra Nova Bay (Ross Sea, Antarctica). Mar Pollut Bull 122(1-2):161-165
  84. Murphy EJ, Cavanagh RD, Drinkwater KF, Grant SM, Heymans JJ, Hofmann EE, Hunt GL Jr, Johnston NM (2016) Understanding the structure and functioning of polar pelagic ecosystems to predict the impacts of change. Proc R Soc B 283:20161646. https://doi.org/10.1098/ rspb.2016.1646
  85. Nielsen J, Hedeholm RB, Simon M, Steffensen JF (2014) Distribution and feeding ecology of the Greenland shark (Somniosus microcephalus) in Greenland waters. Polar Biol 37(1):37-46
  86. O'Hanlon NJ, James NA, Masden EA, Bond AL (2017) Seabirds and marine plastic debris in the northeastern Atlantic: a synthesis and recommendations for monitoring and research. Environ Pollut 231:1291-1301. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2017.08.101
  87. Obbard RW (2018) Microplastics in polar regions: the role of long range transport. Curr Opin Environ Sci Health 1:24-29
  88. Obbard RW, Sadri S, Wong YQ, Khitun AA, Baker I, Thompson RC (2014) Global warming releases microplastic legacy frozen in Arctic Sea ice. Earth's Future 2:315-320. https://doi.org/ 10.1002/2014EF000240
  89. PAME (2019) Desktop study on marine litter including microplastics in the Arctic. Produced for 11th Arctic Council Ministerial meeting Rovaniemi, 7 May 2019. https://www.pame.is/images/03_
  90. Pedrotti ML, Petit S, Elineau A, Bruzaud S, Crebassa JC, Dumontet B et al (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land. PLoS One 11(8):e0161581. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0161581
  91. Peeken I, Primpke S, Beyer B, Gütermann J, Katlein C, Krumpen T, Bergmann M, Hehemann L, Gerdts G (2018) Arctic sea ice is an important temporal sink and means of transport for microplastic. Nat Commun 9(1):1-12. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-018-03825-5
  92. Provencher JF, Bond AL, Hedd A, Montevecchi WA, Muzaffar SB, Courchesne SJ et al (2014) Prevalence of marine debris in marine birds from the North Atlantic. Mar Pollut Bull 84(1- 2):411-417. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2014.04.044
  93. Provencher JF, Bond AL, Avery-Gomm S, Borrelle SB, Rebolledo ELB, Hammer S et al (2017) Quantifying ingested debris in marine megafauna: a review and recommendations for standard- ization. Anal Methods 9(9):1454-1469
  94. Reed S, Clark M, Thompson R, Hughes KA (2018) Microplastics in marine sediments near Rothera research station, Antarctica. Mar Pollut Bull 133:460-463. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul. 2018.05.068
  95. Rochman CM, Regan F, Thompson RC (2017) On the harmonization of methods for measuring the occurrence, fate and effects of microplastics. Anal Methods 9(9):1324-1325
  96. Rose NL, Jones VJ, Noon PE, Hodgson DA, Flower RJ, Appleby PG (2012) Long-range transport of pollutants to the Falkland Islands and Antarctica: evidence from lake sediment fly ash particle records. Environ Sci Technol 46(18):9881-9889
  97. Ryan PG (1987) The incidence and characteristics of plastic particles ingested by seabirds. Mar Environ Res 23:175-206. https://doi.org/10.1016/0141-1136(87)90028-6
  98. Ryan PG (1990) The marine plastic debris problem off southern Africa: types of debris, their environmental effects, and control measures. In: Shomura RS and Godfrey ML (Eds), Proceed- ings of the second international conference on marine debris, 2-7 April 1989. Honolulu, Hawaii. U.S. Dep. Comer., NOM Tech Memo. NMFS, NOAA-TM-NMFS-SWFSC-154.
  99. Ryan PG, De Bruyn PN, Bester MN (2016) Regional differences in plastic ingestion among Southern Ocean fur seals and albatrosses. Mar Pollut Bull 104(1-2):207-210
  100. Scopetani C, Esterhuizen-Londt M, Chelazzi D, Cincinelli A, Setälä H, Pflugmacher S (2020) Self- contamination from clothing in microplastics research. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 189:110036. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2019.110036
  101. Sfriso AA, Tomio Y, Rosso B, Gambaro A, Sfriso A, Corami F et al (2020) Microplastic accumulation in benthic invertebrates in Terra Nova Bay (Ross Sea, Antarctica). Environ Int 137:105587. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2020.105587
  102. Shaw DG (1977) Pelagic tar and plastic in the Gulf of Alaska and Bering Sea: 1975. Sci Total Environ 8(1):13-20
  103. Skåre JU, Alexander J, Haave M, Jakubowicz I, Knutsen HK, Lusher A et al (2019) Microplastics; occurrence, levels and implications for environment and human health related to food. Scientific opinion of the scientific steering committee of the Norwegian Scientific Committee for Food and Environment. VKM report 2019:16, ISBN: 978-82-8259-332-8, ISSN: 2535-4019. Norwegian Scientific Committee for Food and Environment (VKM), Oslo
  104. Suaria G, Perold V, Lee JR, Lebouard F, Aliani S, Ryan PG (2020) Floating macro-and micro- plastics around the Southern Ocean: results from the Antarctic Circumnavigation Expedition. Environ Int 136:105494. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2020.105494
  105. Sundet JH (2014) Status on the snow crab in the Barents Sea. Presentation on the Norwegian - Russian workshop on king -and snow crabs in the Barents Sea, Tromsø, March 11-12, 2014. Joint Russian -Norwegian report series, no 18/2014
  106. Sundet JH, Herzke D, Jenssen M (2016) Forekomst og kilder av mikroplastikk i sediment, og konsekvenser for bunnlevende fisk og evertebrater på Svalbard. Sluttrapport, Svalbards Miljøvernfond, RIS prosjekt 10495
  107. Sundet JH, Herzke D, Jenssen M (2017) Forekomst av mikroplastikk i sjøvann, bunnsedimenter, fjaeresediment og i filtrerende bunnorganismer i naere kystområder på Svalbard. In: Miljøvernfond S (ed) Sluttrapport. Syselmannen, Norway, pp 1-10
  108. Tekman MB, Wekerle C, Lorenz C, Primpke S, Hasemann C, Gerdts G, Bergmann M (2020) Tying up loose ends of microplastic pollution in the Arctic: distribution from the sea surface, through the water column to deep-sea sediments at the HAUSGARTEN observatory. Environ Sci Technol. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.9b06981
  109. Thorpe SE, Murphy EJ, Watkins JL (2007) Circumpolar connections between Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba Dana) populations: investigating the roles of ocean and sea ice transport. Deep Sea Res I Oceanogr Res Pap 54(5):792-810
  110. Threlfall W (1968) The food of three species of gulls in Newfoundland. Can Field Nat 82:176-180
  111. Trevail AM, Gabrielsen GW, Kühn S, Van Franeker JA (2015) Elevated levels of ingested plastic in a high Arctic seabird, the northern fulmar (Fulmarus glacialis). Polar Biol 38(7):975-981
  112. Turner A (2010) Marine pollution from antifouling paint particles. Mar Pollut Bull 60(2):159-171
  113. Turner J, Marshall GJ (2011) Climate change in the polar regions. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge
  114. van Cauwenberghe L, Vanreusel A, Mees J, Janssen CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments. Environ Pollut 182:495-499. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2013.08.013
  115. van Franeker JA, Bell PJ (1988) Plastic ingestion by petrels breeding in Antarctica. Mar Pollut Bull 19(12):672-674
  116. van Sebille E, England MH, Froyland G (2012) Origin, dynamics and evolution of ocean garbage patches from observed surface drifters. Environ Res Lett 7(4):044040
  117. van Sebille E, Aliani S, Law KL, Maximenko N, Alsina JM, Bagaev A et al (2020) The physical oceanography of the transport of floating marine debris. Environ Res Lett 15(2):023003. https:// doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/ab6d7d
  118. Villarrubia-Gómez P, Cornell SE, Fabres J (2018) Marine plastic pollution as a planetary boundary threat-the drifting piece in the sustainability puzzle. Mar Policy 96:213-220
  119. Waller CL, Hughes KA (2018) Plastics in the Southern Ocean. Antarct Sci 30(5):269-269
  120. Waller CL, Griffiths HJ, Waluda CM, Thorpe SE, Loaiza I, Moreno B et al (2017) Microplastics in the Antarctic marine system: an emerging area of research. Sci Total Environ 598:220-227
  121. Waluda CM, Staniland IJ (2013) Entanglement of Antarctic fur seals at Bird Island, South Georgia. Mar Pollut Bull 74(1):244-252
  122. Waluda CM, Staniland IJ, Dunn MJ, Thorpe SE, Grilly E, Whitelaw M, Hughes KA (2020) Thirty years of marine debris in the Southern Ocean: annual surveys of two island shores in the Scotia Sea. Environ Int 136:105460. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2020.105460
  123. Welden NA, Lusher AL (2017) Impacts of changing ocean circulation on the distribution of marine microplastic litter. Integr Environ Assess 13(3):483-487
  124. Whitmire SL, Van Bloem SJ (2017) Quantification of microplastics on national park beaches. NOAA Marine Debris Program. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. https:// marinedebris.noaa.gov/sites/default/files/publications-files/Quantification_of_Microplastics_ on_National_Park_Beaches.pdf
  125. Woodall LC, Sanchez-Vidal A, Canals M, Paterson GL, Coppock R, Sleight Vet al (2014) The deep sea is a major sink for microplastic debris. R Soc Open Sci 1(4):140317
  126. Yakushev E, Pakhomova SV, Lusher A, Mazur A, Grinko A, Dautova T, Semiletov I, Berezina A, van Bavel B (2019) Studies of microplastic distribution in subsurface waters of the Arctic Seas in the 73 cruise of RV "Akademik Mstislav Keldysh". Svalbard science conference 2019. Book of abstracts. September-October 2018
  127. Yu Q, Hu X, Yang B, Zhang G, Wang J, Ling W (2020) Distribution, abundance and risks of microplastics in the environment. Chemosphere 249:126059

Related papers

Microplastics in the Arctic: A case study with sub-surface water and fish samples off Northeast Greenland
silvia morgana

Environmental Pollution, 2018

The Arctic is a unique and fragile ecosystem that needs to be preserved and protected. Despite its remoteness, plastic pollution has been documented in this region. In the coming years, it is likely to worsen since, with climate changes and the opening of new shipping routes, the human presence is going to increase in the whole area. Here, we investigated the presence of microplastics (MPs) in subsurface water and in two mid-trophic level Arctic fishes collected off Northeast Greenland: the demersal bigeye sculpin, Triglops nybelini, and the pelagic polar cod, Boreogadus saida. Plastics debris were found in the water samples at a concentration of 2.4 items/m 3 ±0.8 SD which is higher than in most seas at lower latitudes. Both fish species had eaten MPs with different proportion among the species, 34% for T. nybelini (n ¼ 71) and 18% for B. saida (n ¼ 85). The significant difference in the occurrence of MPs between the two species is likely a consequence of their feeding behavior and habitat. Polyethylene was the main plastic polymer for water samples (41%, n ¼ 17) and polyester (34%, n ¼ 156) for fish samples as analyzed by Fourier Transformed Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. Our data underscore that the Arctic regions are turning into a hotspot for plastic pollution, and this calls urgently for precautionary measures.

View PDFchevron_right
Microplastics in gentoo penguins from the Antarctic region
João Carlos Marques

Scientific Reports, 2019

there is growing evidence that microplastic pollution (<5 mm in size) is now present in virtually all marine ecosystems, even in remote areas, such as the Arctic and the Antarctic. Microplastics have been found in water and sediments of the Antarctic but little is known of their ingestion by higher predators and mechanisms of their entry into Antarctic marine food webs. The goal of this study was to assess the occurrence of microplastics in a top predator, the gentoo penguin Pygoscelis papua from the Antarctic region (Bird Island, South Georgia and Signy Island, South Orkney Islands) and hence assess the potential for microplastic transfer through Antarctic marine food webs. to achieve this, the presence of microplastics in scats (as a proof of ingestion) was investigated to assess the viability of a non-invasive approach for microplastic analyses in Antarctic penguins. A total of 80 penguin scats were collected and any microplastics they contained were extracted. A total of 20% of penguin scats from both islands contained microplastics, consisting mainly of fibers and fragments with different sizes and polymer composition (mean abundance of microplastics: 0.23 ± 0.53 items individual -1 scat, comprising seven different polymers), which were lower values than those found for seabirds in other regions worldwide. No significant differences in microplastic numbers in penguin scats between the two regions were detected. these data highlight the need for further assessment of the levels of microplastics in this sensitive region of the planet, specifically studies on temporal trends and potential effects on penguins and other organisms in the Antarctic marine food web. Plastic pollution (whether at the macro or the micro scale) is one of today's environmental issues of highest concern among scientists, policy makers and the general public 1-4 . One aspect of plastic pollution that has received increasing attention in recent years is that of microplastics, defined as any plastic particles smaller than 5 mm, which are either manufactured as small particles or originated from the fragmentation of larger plastic items . These particles may be subjected to a range of complex processes in the environment (weathering, embrittlement, aggregation), producing a variety of particles with different characteristics (shape, size and density) 2,7 . Additionally, they can leach out chemical additives and adsorb organic chemicals that are found in the environment, and some such compounds can bioaccumulate, posing a potential detriment to species and ecosystems . Microplastics are present in most habitats including rivers, lakes, oceans, soil and air and are bioavailable to ingestion by a variety of aquatic biota (from zooplankton to megafauna) . Despite their widespread occurrence, their effects on wild organisms have yet to be quantified 4,8 . These particles have been detected in remote areas such as the Arctic and the Antarctic regions . These polar ecosystems have recently received heightened attention regarding microplastic pollution, and there are several studies that have reported evidence of these particles in Arctic surface waters , in high concentrations in the sea ice across the Arctic Ocean 18 and in benthic organisms . Less is known about the occurrence of microplastic in the Southern Ocean 17 , where they have only been detected in seawater and sediments . However, it has been shown that Antarctic krill Euphausia superba can ingest microplastics in laboratory experiments 26 , but less is known regarding the levels of microplastics in wild Antarctic marine organisms (but see the reports on ingestion of plastic debris of larger sizes by petrels breeding in Antarctica 27 and fur seals 28 .

View PDFchevron_right
Occurrence of Microplastics (MPs) in Antarctica and Its Impact on the Health of Organisms
Dr. Laxmi K A N T Bhardwaj

Preprint, 2023

Antarctica and its surrounding environment are considered untouched and thought that it is free from microplastics (MPs) pollution. However, recent studies and science projects have reported MPs in both water and sediment in the South Polar Regions. The reports state that the MP's pollution occurs in this region due to fishing, tourism, and research activities by the nearby countries and nature's circulation is also part of it. The Antarctic Treaty System (ATS) has received attention on MP's pollution and initiated research on it. MPs are tiny plastic particles with a size of less than 5 mm. It has two types, 1. Primary MPs have been manufactured directly for various applications like cosmetics and scrubbing etc 2. The secondary MPs are generated by photochemical degradation of large plastics. Although several studies have been done there is a quite gap in our understanding of the concentration, characteristics, and impact of plastics on the ecosystem of the Antarctic Region. The impact of MP's pollution in this region may be very high. The presence of MP is a serious issue that is affecting not only the aquatic environment but also humans. It is an alarming situation that causes environmental damage. The main objective of this paper is to review MP's introduction, occurrence, sources, harmful effects, and detection methods. This review highlighted the various methodologies and analyses like density separation, microscope observation of MP's properties Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and Raman spectrometer respectively, and urged for more research in the future and gave several recommendations to maintain the pristine region near Antarctica.

View PDFchevron_right
Quantifying microplastics in fjords along the Western Antarctic Peninsula
David Barnes

Marine Pollution Bulletin, 2023

Microplastics are ubiquitous around the world. Microplastics have been documented around the Southern Ocean, in coastal sediments and in Antarctic marine organisms, however microplastics data for Antarctic waters remain scarce. Microplastics concentrations were characterized from fjord habitats on the Western Antarctic Peninsula where most glaciers are rapidly retreating. Water samples were collected from 2017 to 2020 from surface and benthos, vacuum-filtered, quantified to determine the classification of microplastic, color, and size. Micro-FTIR spectrophotometry was utilized to confirm chemical composition. Comparisons over time and location were made for average microplastic per liter. Despite the new emergent youth and remoteness of these habitats, it was determined that all fjord habitats had microplastics present each year sampled and increased from 2017 to 2020 in each fjord. Despite physical 'barriers' such as the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (and particularly its strongest jet, the Polar Front), microplastics are clearly present and increasing in even recent habitats.

View PDFchevron_right
Microplastics in arctic invertebrates- Status on occurrence and recommendations for future monitoring
Alessio Gomiero

Arctic Science

Few studies have been published on occurrence and distribution on microplastics (MPs) in invertebrates from the Arctic. We still need to develop harmonised methods to enable good comparison between studies taking into account recovery rates, size ranges, shapes and polymer types. Here, we review studies on MPs in invertebrates from the Arctic and present suggestions on sampling protocols and potential indicator species. Since information on MPs in Arctic invertebrates is vastly lacking, we recommend to at least include suspension feeding bivalves like mussels in monitoring programmes to function as indicator species in the Arctic. Mussels have also been suggested as indicator species for MP monitoring in coastal regions further south. Although we recognise the challenge with particle selection and egestion in mussels as well as the relatively low concentrations of MPs in Arctic waters, uptake levels seem to represent recent exposures. More research is needed to understand these sele...

View PDFchevron_right

Related topics

  • Polar Studies
  • Microplastics in the Oceans
  • Plastic pollution

    • Cited by

    Macro- and Microplastics in the Antarctic Environment: Ongoing Assessment and Perspectives
    roberto bargagli

    Environments

    The number of scientists and tourists visiting Antarctica is on the rise and, despite the management framework for environmental protection, some coastal areas, particularly in the Antarctic Peninsula region, are affected by plastic contamination. The few data available on the occurrence of microplastics (&lt;5 mm) are difficult to compare, due to the different methodologies used in monitoring studies. However, indications are emerging to guide future research and to implement environmental protocols. In the surface and subsurface waters of the Southern Ocean, plastic debris &gt;300 µm appears to be scarce and far less abundant than paint chips released from research vessels. Yet, near some coastal scientific stations, the fragmentation and degradation of larger plastic items, as well as microbeads and microfibers released into wastewater from personal care products and laundry, could potentially affect marine organisms. Some studies indicate that, through long-range atmospheric tra...

    View PDFchevron_right
    Microplastics in gastrointestinal tracts of gentoo penguin (Pygoscelis papua) chicks on King George Island, Antarctica
    Jaehak Jung

    Scientific Reports

    Microplastics (&lt; 5 mm) have been found in marine ecosystems worldwide, even in Antarctic ecosystems. In this study, the stomach and upper intestines of 14 dead gentoo penguin (Pygoscelis papua) chicks were collected and screened for microplastics on King George Island, a gateway to Antarctic research and tourism. A total of 378 microplastics were identified by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, with 27.0 ± 25.3 microplastics per individual. The detected number of microplastics did not increase with the mass of penguin chicks, suggesting no permanent accumulation of microplastics. However, the concentration of microplastics was much higher (9.1 ± 10.8 microplastics per individual within the size range 100–5000 μm) than the previously reported concentration in the penguin feces, and a greater number of smaller microplastics were found. Marine debris surveys near the breeding colony found various plastic (79.3%) to be the most frequent type of beached debris, suggesting that l...

    View PDFchevron_right
    580 California St., Suite 400
    San Francisco, CA, 94104
    © 2025 Academia. All rights reserved