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The problem of Microplastic Accumulation in the Arctic Ocean
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This review highlights the emerging threat of microplastic accumulation in the rapidly warming Arctic Ocean, documenting MP presence in seawater, sediments, sea ice, and marine organisms and identifying the Arctic as a convergence zone for plastic pollution transported by ocean currents.
Recently, ice in the Northern Arctic Ocean has been rapidly melting. Microplastic debris accumulated in ice has posed a global threat to various marine organisms and ecological processes for many years. In general, microplastics represent marine life, and through them, a person consumes marine products. Microplastics pollute ice, water, water, and fishery organisms that are used for the economy. Microplastic particles (less than 5 mm in size) pose a particular danger to humans due to their high mobility in the marine environment, their ability to be included in the food chain at all levels, the accumulation of various persistent organic pollutants, heavy metals, and other hazardous substances carried by ocean currents over long distances on the surface. Our initial survey shows that microplastics are found in seawater, on the seashore, and the seabed, in ice, and marine life. The research needs to be continued to get a complete picture of microplastic pollution in the Arctic Ocean.
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Investigating the sources, transfer, and fate of microplastics in the Arctic marine environment
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This review synthesizes current knowledge on microplastic sources, transport pathways, and fate in Arctic marine environments, examining how MPs present in sea ice, water columns, and marine biota reflect both local and long-range transport from lower latitudes.
Long-range drift of microplastics towards the Arctic Ocean - discussions on the issue and observations along the North Atlantic current system
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This study examined the long-range transport of microplastics toward the Arctic Ocean via the North Atlantic current system, documenting plastic contamination in waters far from human population centers. The findings demonstrate that microplastics are now globally distributed, reaching polar regions through ocean circulation.
Plastic and microplastic litter : a serious problem in the Arctic Ocean
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This brief report highlighted plastic and microplastic litter as a serious and growing problem in the Arctic Ocean, where remote location was once thought to provide protection from pollution but is now known to receive significant plastic debris via ocean currents.
Microplastics in Arctic sea ice: a prime temporary sink for (micro-)plastics and a medium of transport
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This study found that Arctic sea ice contains high concentrations of microplastics, acting as a temporary sink that accumulates plastic from the water column — with concern that rapid sea ice loss due to climate change will release these stored particles back into the ocean.
Plastic pollution in the Arctic
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This review describes how plastic pollution, including microplastics, has spread throughout the Arctic despite its remoteness, carried by ocean currents, rivers, and wind from lower latitudes. Plastics accumulate in Arctic ice, water, soil, and wildlife, and even if all plastic production stopped today, existing plastic would continue fragmenting into microplastics for decades. The contamination of this sensitive ecosystem is concerning because Arctic food webs, including fish consumed by humans, are already affected.
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.