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Microplastics quantification in surface waters of the Barents, Kara and White Seas
Summary
This study measured microplastic concentrations in the surface waters of the White, Barents, and Kara Seas in the Arctic, finding particularly high levels off the coast of Novaya Zemlya. The detection of microplastics in these remote Arctic waters confirms that ocean currents carry plastic pollution to polar regions far from the original sources.
This study is focused on the analysis of microplastic concentrations in the surface waters of the White, Barents and Kara Seas. Sampling took place during the "Arctic Floating University 2018" expedition using a manta trawl. Particularly high concentrations of the microplastics were found off the west coast of Novaya Zemlya archipelago with a maximum in a highly productive region - Gusinaya bank. The microplastic distribution pattern in the Barents Sea correlates both with the oceanic circulation and the fishing activities. The results show the first recorded estimation of microplastic concentrations in the White Sea with the higher concentrations located in the area affected by the Severnaya Dvina River discharge. Relatively low concentrations of microplastics were found in the Kara Sea.