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Microplastics distribution in the Eurasian Arctic is affected by Atlantic waters and Siberian rivers
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Analysis of 60 water samples from the Eurasian Arctic found average microplastic concentrations of 0.004 items/m³ in surface net samples and 0.8 items/m³ in subsurface pump samples, with particle type and abundance differing significantly between Atlantic water masses and Siberian river plumes.
Abstract Plastic pollution is globally recognised as a threat to marine ecosystems, habitats, and wildlife, and it has now reached remote locations such as the Arctic Ocean. Nevertheless, the distribution of microplastics in the Eurasian Arctic is particularly underreported. Here we present analyses of 60 subsurface pump water samples and 48 surface neuston net samples from the Eurasian Arctic with the goal to quantify and classify microplastics in relation to oceanographic conditions. In our study area, we found on average 0.004 items of microplastics per m 3 in the surface samples, and 0.8 items per m 3 in the subsurface samples. Microplastic characteristics differ significantly between Atlantic surface water, Polar surface water and discharge plumes of the Great Siberian Rivers, allowing identification of two sources of microplastic pollution (p < 0.05 for surface area, morphology, and polymer types). The highest weight concentration of microplastics was observed within surface waters of Atlantic origin. Siberian river discharge was identified as the second largest source. We conclude that these water masses govern the distribution of microplastics in the Eurasian Arctic. The microplastics properties (i.e. abundance, polymer type, size, weight concentrations) can be used for identification of the water masses.
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Microplastics in the Eurasian Arctic surface water: main sources and drivers of spatiotemporal variability
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Researchers conducted the most extensive survey of floating microplastics in the Eurasian Arctic to date, collecting 220 surface water and 180 subsurface water samples across the Barents, Kara, Laptev, and East-Siberian seas during six cruises from 2019 to 2022. They found a strong west-to-east gradient in microplastic pollution, declining from 19.0 micrograms per cubic meter in the Barents Sea to 2.0 micrograms per cubic meter in the East-Siberian Sea, with the Kara Gate Strait showing the highest concentration at 640 micrograms per cubic meter, suggesting the Barents Sea as the primary source of microplastics in the Siberian Arctic.
Author Correction: Microplastics distribution in the Eurasian Arctic is affected by Atlantic waters and Siberian rivers
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This is a correction notice to a study on microplastic pollution in the Arctic Ocean, showing that ocean currents from the Atlantic and rivers from Siberia are carrying tiny plastic particles into this remote region. This matters because it shows even the world's most untouched waters aren't safe from plastic pollution, and since Arctic fish and seafood are part of the global food chain, these microplastics can eventually make their way onto our plates. Note: this correction doesn't detail the specific findings that were fixed, so it's best to check the original study for the full results.
Systematical insights into distribution and characteristics of microplastics in near-surface waters from the East Asian Seas to the Arctic Central Basin
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Researchers systematically mapped microplastic distribution in near-surface waters from the East Asian Seas to the Arctic Central Basin, detecting particles at 93.9% of sites with an average of 2.91 items/m3 and finding that fragments and fibers dominated across the entire transect.
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