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Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in intertidal sediments at Deception Island, Antarctica
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Researchers found microplastics (2.22–31.09 items per kilogram) in intertidal sediments on Deception Island, Antarctica—a volcanic island in the South Shetland Islands—with polyethylene and PVC as the dominant polymers, establishing the first microplastic baseline for this remote Antarctic location. The presence of microplastics in Antarctic intertidal zones confirms that contamination has reached even the most isolated coastal environments on Earth. This baseline is essential for tracking future trends and understanding cumulative pollution pressure on Antarctic marine ecosystems.
Microplastic contamination is a well-recognized threat to marine ecosystems, yet its occurrence in remote regions, such as Antarctica, remains poorly documented. This study presents a preliminary assessment of microplastics in intertidal sediments from beaches on Deception Island, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica. Surface sediment samples were collected from the upper intertidal zone and processed using Sediment Microplastic Isolation (SMI) units. Polymer composition was determined by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, while particle morphology and color were analyzed using ImageJ-Fiji software. Microplastic concentrations ranged from 2.22 to 31.09 items·kg, with the highest value recorded at Whalers Bay. Polyethylene (PE, 40.83%) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC, 28.57%) were the most abundant polymers. Fragments dominated (73.91%), followed by films (21.74%), and particle sizes ranged from 0.24 to 0.50 mm (mean ± SD: 1.29 ± 0.42 mm). Amber, green, and grey were the most frequent colors. No significant correlation was observed between microplastic abundance and sediment grain size. These results provide the first evidence of microplastics in the intertidal zone of Deception Island, establishing a baseline for future monitoring and contributing to a broader understanding of plastic contamination in Antarctic coastal environments.
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Researchers determined the presence and characteristics of microplastics in intertidal sediments of Deception Island, Antarctica, providing evidence that plastic contamination has reached one of Earth's most remote environments and documenting the role of marine sediments as sinks for persistent microplastic pollution.
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