Frontiers in Marine Science,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
10
Published: Aug. 14, 2023
Globally,
the
abundance
of
microplastics
in
our
oceans
is
increasing,
including
within
remote
locations
polar
regions.
The
Barents
Sea,
which
adjoins
Arctic
Ocean,
an
area
high
primary
productivity
that,
owing
to
convergence
regional
currents,
has
been
mooted
as
a
potential
sixth
ocean
gyre
that
may
coalesce
concentrations
plastic
debris.
This
study
aimed
explore
data
collected
from
large
volume
samples
sub-surface
water
transects
through
Sea
quantify
and
characterise
this
region,
with
focus
on
impacts
zooplankton.
Overall,
mean
microplastic
was
0.011
m
-3
(range:
0.007
–
0.015
).
Microplastics
were
found
higher
abundances
nearer
land
mass
at
southern
end
transect
northwards
towards
ice
edge,
recording
during
both
legs.
predominantly
fibrous
(92.1%)
typically
blue
(79%)
or
red
(17%)
colour.
A
range
polymers
identified
polyester
(3.8%),
copolymer
blends
(2.7%),
elastomers
(7.1%)
acrylics
(10.6%),
however
semi-synthetic
dominated,
comprising
74.4%
particles
found.
Higher
northernmost
stem
melting
sea-ice,
while
southernmost
likely
derive
long-range
transport
via
currents
Europe.
The Science of The Total Environment,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
869, P. 161847 - 161847
Published: Jan. 26, 2023
Microplastic
(MP)
pollution
is
of
great
environmental
concern.
MPs
have
been
found
all
over
the
Earth,
including
in
poles,
which
indicative
for
important
threat
they
constitute.
Yet,
while
ocean
object
major
interest,
data
available
literature
about
MP
freshwaters
Earth's
poles
are
still
limited.
Here,
we
review
current
knowledge
Arctic,
Antarctica
and
Third
Pole,
assess
its
ecological
implications.
This
highlights
presence
lakes,
rivers,
snow,
glaciers
investigated
sites,
questions
transport
patterns
through
reach
these
remote
areas,
illustrates
that
a
real
problem
not
only
marine
systems,
but
also
freshwater
environments
poles.
can
indeed
be
ingested
by
animals
physically
damage
their
digestive
tracts,
as
well
escalate
trophic
levels.
alter
microbial
communities
serving
surfaces
onto
microbes
grow
develop,
enhance
ice
melting
when
trapped
glaciers.
Hence,
considered
limited
available,
encourage
more
research
on
theme.
Biological Conservation,
Journal Year:
2022,
Volume and Issue:
272, P. 109655 - 109655
Published: July 4, 2022
Pollution
of
the
environment
with
plastics
has
garnered
significant
public
attention,
but
topic
also
been
focus
controversy,
including
assertions
that
resources
are
better
spent
on
other
topics,
such
as
global
warming.
Here,
we
argue
plastic
pollution
and
climate
change
fundamentally
linked,
from
extraction
fossil
fuels
to
production
plastics,
eventual
disposal.
We
demonstrate
how
research
funding
currently
lag
significantly
behind
conclude
by
advocating
for
a
more
integrated
approach
addressing
pressing
conservation
issues
in
time
planetary
emergency.
