Microplastics in Surface Waters of the Russian Arctic Seas: Distribution, Concentration, Identification, and Eco-Risks for Fish

Microplastic pollution of the marine environment is a global environmental problem requiring in-depth study, understanding of its qualitative and quantitative characteristics, the conditions promoting its accumulation, and the potential impacts on living organisms, including ichthyofauna. In total, 101 water samples were collected in 2019–2021 using a Manta net (335-µm mesh size) to assess the distribution and microplastic concentration on the sea surface of the offshore and coastal areas of the Russian Arctic Shelf. No significant concentrations of microplastics or extensive “garbage patches” similar to those observed in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans were detected in the area under study. The average concentration of microplastics in the surface waters of the western Chukchi Sea was 0.015 particles per cubic m (pcs./m3), in the East Siberian Sea, 0.019 pcs./m3, in the Laptev Sea, 0.035 pcs./m3, in the Kara Sea, 0.036 pcs./m3, in the eastern Barents Sea, 0.039 pcs./m3. The maximum microplastic concentration in the surveyed seas did not exceed 0.201 pcs./m3, 1–3-mm particles being predominant. The most frequently recorded particles were those of polyethylene, polypropylene, low- and high-density polyethylene and polystyrene, which corresponds to the volumes of their production and application as these are most common polymers in Europe. These estimates of microplastic pollution in the Arctic waters may be conditionally considered as background (baseline) indicators. This is especially relevant facing the active development of shipping and operating the Northern Sea Route as well as for assessing potential eco-risks to aquatic organisms.