Arctic macrosources of the microplastic pollution (Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen): Spectral characterization and first insight into the fungal diversity on the arctic plastisphere

The ubiquitous plastic pollution influences even the remote polar regions, such as the Arctic and its archipelagos. Macro- (MAs), meso- (MSs), and microplastic (MPs) form the substrate for further biotic colonization. In this paper, we have tackled two issues: the problem of microplastic formation from plastic macro litter and preliminary assessment of fungal diversity on Arctic plastisphere, underlining their role in interactions of MP with organisms. To understand the MPs origin, fragmented macro- and meso-plastic items with adjacent smaller fragments were selected as local sources (LS), and collected in three different zones of the Longerbyen beach: on its main part and near the central part of the settlements, at the eastern border, and within the Longyearelva river mouth adjacent to the Adventfjorden. All LS were spectrally identified as being in 64 % composed of polyethylene, 27 % polypropylene, and polystyrene (9 %). In contrast, other than LS plastic items in the zone included several other spectrally confirmed polymer types such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyamide (PA), and cellulose fibres. Secondly, the set of selected debris was tested for fungal presence on the plastic surface. 20 fungal taxa were isolated from plastisphere, including 4 taxa not previously reported from Svalbard. Finally, the arctic fungisphere possibly shows the role of plastics as a vector of alien species.