Unveiling high concentrations of small microplastics (11–500 μm) in surface water samples from the southern Weddell Sea off Antarctica

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 927, P. 172124 - 172124

Published: March 31, 2024

Recent studies have highlighted the prevalence of microplastic (MP) pollution in global marine environment and these pollutants been found to contaminate even remote regions, including Southern Ocean south polar front. Previous this region mostly focused on MPs larger than 300 μm, potentially underestimating extent MP pollution. This study is first investigate surface waters front, with a focus small 500-11 μm size. Seventeen water samples were collected southern Weddell Sea using an in-house-designed sampling system. The analysis entire sample micro-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (μFTIR) focal plane array (FPA) detection revealed presence all samples, vast majority detected being smaller (98.3 %). mean concentration reached 43.5 (± 83.8) m

Language: Английский

---

Local sources versus long-range transport of organic contaminants in the Arctic: future developments related to climate change

Environmental Science Advances, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Climate change leads to releases of persistent organic pollutants and chemicals emerging concern as glaciers melt permafrost thaws. Increased human activity in the Arctic may enhance local emissions potentially problematic chemicals.

Language: Английский

---

Organic or junk food? Microplastic contamination in Antarctic krill and salps

Royal Society Open Science, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 10(3)

Published: March 1, 2023

Microplastics (MP) have been reported in Southern Ocean (SO), where they are likely to encounter Antarctic zooplankton and enter pelagic food webs. Here we assess the presence of MP within krill ( Euphausia superba ) salps Salpa thompsoni quantify their abundance type by micro-Fourier transform infrared microscopy. were found both species, with fibres being more abundant than fragments (krill: 56.25% salps: 22.32% total MP). Polymer identification indicated originated from local distant sources. Our findings prove how situ ingestion these organisms is a real ongoing process SO. amount was higher (2.13 ± 0.26 ind −1 (1.38 0.42 ), while size extracted (130 30 µm) significantly lower (330 50 µm). We suggest that differences between ingested two species may be related strategies, ability fragment as well different human pressures collection areas study region. First comparative field-based evidence salps, emblematic SO marine ecosystems, underlines ecosystems particularly sensitive plastic pollution.

Language: Английский

---

Cellulosic and microplastic fibers in the Antarctic fish Harpagifer antarcticus and Sub-Antarctic Harpagifer bispinis

Marine Pollution Bulletin, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 194, P. 115380 - 115380

Published: Aug. 8, 2023

Language: Английский

---

Environmental contamination and climate change in Antarctic ecosystems: an updated overview

Environmental Science Advances, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 3(4), P. 543 - 560

Published: Jan. 1, 2024

The review presents a complete update of previous reviews on the topics environmental contamination, climate change and human impact Antarctic ecosystems.

Language: Английский

---

Assessing the current state of plastic pollution research in Antarctica: Knowledge gaps and recommendations

Chemosphere, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 355, P. 141870 - 141870

Published: April 1, 2024

Language: Английский

---

Detection of plastic, cellulosic micro-fragments and microfibers in Laternula elliptica from King George Island (Maritime Antarctica)

Marine Pollution Bulletin, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 201, P. 116257 - 116257

Published: March 21, 2024

Language: Английский

---

Occurrence and distribution of legacy and emerging pollutants including plastic debris in Antarctica: Sources, distribution and impact on marine biodiversity

Marine Pollution Bulletin, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 186, P. 114353 - 114353

Published: Nov. 24, 2022

Language: Английский

---

Characterization and removal efficiencies of microplastics discharged from sewage treatment plants in Southeast Spain

Water Research, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 244, P. 120479 - 120479

Published: Aug. 17, 2023

Microplastics (MPs) are ubiquitous pollutants that can effectively harm different ecosystems. The information on the relative contribution of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) to surrounding environment is important, in order understand ecological health risks and implement measures reduce their presence. This focus article presents a quantitative assessment concentration types MPs delivered from four WWTPs located at Southeast Spain. Samples were collected throughout four-year period, comprising more than 1,200 L analyzed 3,215 microparticles isolated. Density extraction with 1.08 g/mL NaCl salt solution was systematically used as main separation method, simple reliable manner, repeat cycles did not play any significant impact study outcomes. had removal efficiencies between 64.3% 89.2% after primary, secondary, tertiary phases, without diurnal or daily variations. Advanced methods displayed lower rate for fibers particulate MPs. abundance always higher mean size samples Autumn rest seasons. dumped large quantities into meant be regarded an important point source aquatic terrestrial environments.

Language: Английский

---

At second glance: The importance of strict quality control – A case study on microplastic in the Southern Ocean key species Antarctic krill, Euphausia superba

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 918, P. 170618 - 170618

Published: Feb. 6, 2024

The stomach content of 60 krill specimens from the Southern Ocean were analyzed for presence microplastic (MP), by testing different sample volumes, extraction approaches, and applying hyperspectral imaging Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (μFTIR). Strict quality control was applied on generated results. A high load residual materials in pooled samples hampered analysis avoided a reliable determination putative MP particles. Individual stomachs displayed results, however, only after re-treating with hydrogen peroxide. Before this treatment, lipid rich residues resulted false assignments polymer categories hence, particle numbers. Finally, identified 4 out 60, one per stomach. Our study highlights importance strict to verify results before coming final decision contamination environment aid establishment suitable internationally standardized protocols sampling organisms including their habitats worldwide.

Language: Английский

---