Occurrence of microplastics (MPs) in Antarctica and its impact on the health of organisms

Maritime Technology and Research, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 6(2), P. 265418 - 265418

Published: Oct. 12, 2023

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

Language: Английский

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

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 13(1)

Published: Aug. 10, 2023

Abstract Microplastics (< 5 mm) have been found in marine ecosystems worldwide, even Antarctic ecosystems. In this study, the stomach and upper intestines of 14 dead gentoo penguin ( Pygoscelis papua ) chicks were collected screened for microplastics on King George Island, a gateway to research tourism. A total 378 identified by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, with 27.0 ± 25.3 per individual. The detected number did not increase mass chicks, suggesting no permanent accumulation microplastics. However, concentration was much higher (9.1 10.8 individual within size range 100–5000 μm) than previously reported feces, greater smaller found. Marine debris surveys near breeding colony various plastic (79.3%) be most frequent type beached debris, that local sources waste could contributed microplastic contamination being fed parents forage nearby seas. This finding confirms presence an ecosystem suggests need stronger management Antarctica standardized scheme monitoring once-pristine ecosystem.

Language: Английский

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Progress in selecting marine bioindicators for nanoplastics ecological risk assessment

Ecological Indicators, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 154, P. 110836 - 110836

Published: Aug. 20, 2023

Nanoplastic (<1 µm) pollution in the marine environment is a cause of growing concern due to current difficulties measuring their occurrence abiotic and biotic matrices, with consequent uncertainties on ecological risk for natural communities associated ecosystem services. Most investigations dealing nano-ecotoxicity have been conducted bench-scale by examining effects single model species under short-term exposure conditions at high concentrations (>50 mgL−1). Both negligible impacts detrimental effects, although poorly descriptive real environmental scenarios, documented different trophic levels functionalities. Polystyrene nanospheres (<100 nm) are far most tested as proxy nanoplastics, even though nanoplastics composed other polymers shapes (i.e., irregular fibers) has reported seawater column sediments. Limited information bioaccumulation hamper selection key bioindicator following various criteria target, highly sensitive, endangered, etc) monitoring assessment (ERA) purposes. A holistic approach thus required starting from setting environmentally relevant coupled chronic exposure, selecting bioindicators including those having role processes, functions services, also human consumption (shellfish seafood). The present mini-review aims provide framework best nanoplastic along knowledge sources, circulation behavior temperate polar environments potential compartments/species more support ERA. Less investigated niches habitats, which should deserve attention future studies, identified.

Language: Английский

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Do Antarctic bivalves present microdebris? The case of Livingston Island

Environmental Pollution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 351, P. 124086 - 124086

Published: April 29, 2024

Marine microdebris (MD) seem to be widespread in benthic invertebrates, even the most remote areas of planet such as Antarctica, although information available is still very scarce. Here we provide a detailed quantification and characterization MD found on three common bivalve species (Aequiyoldia eightsii, Thracia cf. meridionalis, Cyclocardia astartoides) inhabiting shallow Johnsons' Bay, Livingston Island (South Shetland Islands, Antarctica) snapshot present. On average, these bivalves contained 0.71 ± 0.89 items per individual 1.49 2.35 gram, being comparable few previous existing studies other Antarctic areas. Nearly half organisms analysed here (45.6 %), at least one item. No significant differences were species. As far know, this first study analyse compare Peninsula. Although our results indicate are not polluted planet, remarkable since considered last pristine world. Our point local activities main source pollution Island, global cannot discarded. We believe research provides useful baseline for future will contribute develop policies strategies preserve marine ecosystems from pollution.

Language: Английский

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Monitoring plastic pollution using bioindicators: A global review and recommendations for marine environments

Environmental Science Advances, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 4(1), P. 10 - 32

Published: Oct. 3, 2024

Monitoring the movement of plastic into marine food webs is central to understanding and mitigating pollution crisis.

Language: Английский

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Quantifying microplastics concentration of invertebrates from three Antarctic fjords

Marine Pollution Bulletin, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 212, P. 117503 - 117503

Published: Jan. 8, 2025

Language: Английский

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Clean fishing: Construction of prediction model for high-catch Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) fishing grounds based on deep learning and dynamic sliding window methods

Ecological Informatics, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 86, P. 103047 - 103047

Published: Jan. 27, 2025

Language: Английский

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A Surprising Discovery: Microplastic Occurrence in Half of the Wild Fish Larvae in the East China Sea!

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Language: Английский

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Characterization of marine litter in the vicinity of The Machu Picchu Scientific Base, King George Island, Antarctica

Polar Science, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 101170 - 101170

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Language: Английский

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Pollution Has No Borders: Microplastics in Antarctica

Environments, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 12(3), P. 77 - 77

Published: March 2, 2025

In recent years, microplastic pollution has become one of the major global concerns and represents a complex, multidimensional, multisectoral reality. The considerable existing data relating to in matrices such as water soil suggests that microplastics are widespread globally, but there several knowledge gaps regarding their actual distribution mostly remote locations far from sources. this review we examine current on Antarctic continent. Antarctica, unique continent not permanently anthropized, is southernmost part planet its geographic isolation does protect against harmful impact human activities. This characterized by limited internal sources high-burden external routes contaminants natural laboratory analyze how can reach every biosphere. reports presence organic inorganic only at marine level (water, sediments, benthic organisms, krill, fish) also freshwater (lakes, rivers, snow, glaciers) highlighting contamination endemic environment. Microplastic great environmental concern everywhere, characteristics ecosystems suggest they could be more sensitive harm pollution.

Language: Английский

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