We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Microplastics in the Arctic: a transect through the Barents Sea
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers collected large-volume sub-surface water samples along transects through the Barents Sea to quantify and characterize microplastics, examining the role of regional ocean currents in concentrating plastic debris. The study contributes baseline data on microplastic distribution in this productive Arctic marginal sea mooted as a potential sixth ocean gyre for plastic accumulation.
Globally, the abundance of microplastics in our oceans is increasing, including within the remote locations of the polar regions. The Barents Sea, which adjoins the Arctic Ocean, is an area of high primary productivity that, owing to the convergence of regional currents, has been mooted as a potential sixth ocean gyre that may coalesce high concentrations of plastic debris. This study aimed to explore data collected from large volume samples of sub-surface water collected from transects through the Barents Sea to quantify and characterise microplastics in this region, with a focus on potential impacts to zooplankton. Overall, the mean microplastic abundance in the Barents Sea was 0.011 microplastics m -3 (range: 0.007 – 0.015 m -3 ). Microplastics were found in higher abundances nearer land mass at the southern end of the transect and northwards towards the ice edge, recording 0.015 microplastics m -3 during both transect legs. Microplastics were predominantly fibrous (92.1%) and typically blue (79%) or red (17%) in colour. A range of polymers were identified including polyester (3.8%), copolymer blends (2.7%), elastomers (7.1%) and acrylics (10.6%), however semi-synthetic polymers dominated, comprising 74.4% of particles found. Higher microplastic concentrations in the northernmost transect may stem from melting sea-ice, while the higher concentrations in the southernmost transect likely derive from the long-range transport of microplastics via currents from Europe.
More Papers Like This
Microplastics in sub-surface waters of the Arctic Central Basin
AI summary Read the abstract
This study detected and characterized microplastics in sub-surface waters of the Arctic Central Basin, finding that even these remote deep waters contain measurable microplastic contamination, likely transported by ocean currents.
Microplastics in the arctic
AI summary Read the abstract
This study analyzed microplastic contamination in sub-surface water collected from transects across the Barents Sea in the Arctic, examining how current convergence zones concentrate microplastics and how zooplankton might accidentally ingest them by mistaking them for phytoplankton. Microplastic ingestion by Arctic zooplankton could have cascading effects on the food web including species that humans harvest.
Microplastics in the Eurasian Arctic surface water: main sources and drivers of spatiotemporal variability
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers conducted the most extensive survey to date of floating microplastics in the Eurasian Arctic Ocean, collecting 220 surface and 180 subsurface water samples across six research cruises from 2019 to 2022 in the Barents, Kara, Laptev, and East-Siberian Seas using Neuston nets. The study characterised the main sources and spatiotemporal drivers of microplastic distribution in this sensitive polar region, with findings relevant to understanding the Arctic as a sink for global plastic pollution.
Microplastics in Arctic polar waters: the first reported values of particles in surface and sub-surface samples
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers reported some of the first measured values for microplastic particles in Arctic polar waters, finding contamination even in these remote high-latitude waters and raising questions about long-range transport mechanisms.
Microplastics in Surface Waters of the Russian Arctic Seas: Distribution, Concentration, Identification, and Eco-Risks for Fish
AI summary Read the abstract
Microplastics were detected across surface waters of the Russian Arctic seas, with concentrations and polymer types varying by region and season. The findings document that even high-latitude Arctic waters are not spared from microplastic contamination, likely transported by ocean currents and rivers.
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.