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Assessment of plastic debris and biofouling in a specially protected area of the Antarctic Peninsula region
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Researchers surveyed plastic debris on shores of an Antarctic Specially Protected Area, finding 730 items with 85% being plastic, dominated by polystyrene and PET, and noting that biofouling occurred on 25% of debris, indicating that even heavily protected environments are not immune to marine plastic pollution.
The aim of this paper is to characterize the plastic and to study a potential relationship between plastic debris characteristics and the presence of fouling biota in an Antarctic Specially Protected Area Robert Island, on the Antarctic peninsula region. A combination of lab-based sorting, advanced spectral analysis and general linear modelling was used to assess the abundance and type of plastic debris washed up on the shore. Observations recorded 730 debris items, with 85 % being plastic. Polystyrene (PS) and Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) were the dominant plastics (61 %). Biofouling was observed on 25 % of plastic debris, with debris complexity and degradation significantly increasing the likelihood of fouling occurring. There was no correlation found between biofouling type and plastic polymer type. Findings raise concerns that even with the highest level of environmental protection, an external marine-based source of pollution can intrude the coastal habitat, with uncertain consequences to local flora and fauna.
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Determination of the presence of microplastics in intertidal sediments of deception island, antarctica
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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.
Quantification and distribution of marine microdebris in the surface waters of Livingston Island (South Shetland Islands, Antarctica).
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Researchers quantified microdebris in surface waters of two bays on Livingston Island, Antarctica, finding plastic pollution in all samples at a mean concentration of 0.264 items/m², with polyester fibres dominating (61.67%) and distribution patterns suggesting local Antarctic activities as the primary contamination source.
Surface waters meso- and micro-litter around the Western Antarctic Peninsula: Are the South Shetland Islands a pollution hotspot?
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Researchers surveyed meso- and micro-litter in surface waters around the Western Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands across two summer seasons, providing one of the broadest assessments of marine debris in Antarctica. Even this remote polar region showed widespread plastic contamination, with fragments and lines dominating the debris found.
Plastic occurrence, sources, and impacts in Antarctic environment and biota
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Researchers reviewed evidence of plastic pollution in Antarctica, finding microplastics — mostly fibers — in sea ice, ocean water, sediments, and both marine and land animals, raising concern that even the most remote ecosystems on Earth are contaminated and that biodiversity and ecosystem functions may be at risk.
Thirty years of marine debris in the Southern Ocean: Annual surveys of two island shores in the Scotia Sea
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Researchers conducted 30 years of annual beach surveys at two remote Southern Ocean islands and found that plastic makes up over 84–97% of all debris collected, with the number of items increasing over time even as individual pieces get smaller and lighter. The long-term data underscore how pervasive plastic pollution has become even in the most isolated marine environments on Earth.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.