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Microplastics abundance and characteristics in surface waters from the Northwest Pacific, the Bering Sea, and the Chukchi Sea
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Microplastics were detected in surface waters of the Northwest Pacific, Bering Sea, and Chukchi Sea, with fibrous particles dominating and concentrations varying by ocean region and proximity to shipping lanes.
Microplastics (MPs) in the Arctic Ocean have gained considerable attention due to its ubiquity and impacts within ecosystems. However, little information is available on MPs in the Pacific section of the Arctic Ocean. The present study determined the abundance, distribution, and composition of MPs in surface waters from the Northwestern Pacific, the Bering Sea, and the Chukchi Sea. The MPs abundances varied from 0.018 items/m to 0.31 items/m, with a mean abundance of 0.13 ± 0.11 items/m. The highest level of MPs was found in the Chukchi Sea. Of all of the detected MPs, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) accounted for the largest proportion of MPs, and fiber was predominant with regard to the total amount. Our results highlighted that the Arctic Ocean is becoming a hotspot for plastic pollution, and the risks posed by MPs need to be paid closer attention in future investigations.
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This study documented the first records of microplastic contamination in surface sediments from the northern Bering and Chukchi Seas, including waters near Arctic Alaska, finding widespread but variable particle abundances. The findings confirm that even high-latitude Arctic seafloor sediments receive microplastic input, likely transported by ocean currents from distant sources.
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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.