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Plastics in sea surface waters around the Antarctic Peninsula
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Surface trawls in Antarctic Peninsula waters found a mean plastic debris concentration of 1,794 items/km² and 27.8 g/km², with roughly equal proportions of mesoplastics and microplastics composed mostly of polyurethane, polyamide, and polyethylene. Oceanographic modeling traced the debris origin to areas including the southern tip of South America and the Falkland Islands, demonstrating remote-source contamination of Antarctic waters.
Although marine plastic pollution has been the focus of several studies, there are still many gaps in our understanding of the concentrations, characteristics and impacts of plastics in the oceans. This study aimed to quantify and characterize plastic debris in oceanic surface waters of the Antarctic Peninsula. Sampling was done through surface trawls, and mean debris concentration was estimated at 1,794 items.km-2 with an average weight of 27.8 g.km-2. No statistical difference was found between the amount of mesoplastics (46%) and microplastics (54%). We found hard and flexible fragments, spheres and lines, in nine colors, composed mostly of polyurethane, polyamide, and polyethylene. An oceanographic dispersal model showed that, for at least seven years, sampled plastics likely did not originate from latitudes lower than 58°S. Analysis of epiplastic community diversity revealed bacteria, microalgae, and invertebrate groups adhered to debris. Paint fragments were present at all sampling stations and were approximately 30 times more abundant than plastics. Although paint particles were not included in plastic concentration estimates, we highlight that they could have similar impacts as marine plastics. We call for urgent action to avoid and mitigate plastic and paint fragment inputs to the Southern Ocean.
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Researchers surveyed meso- and micro-litter in surface waters around the Western Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands across two summer seasons, providing one of the broadest assessments of marine debris in Antarctica. Even this remote polar region showed widespread plastic contamination, with fragments and lines dominating the debris found.
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Researchers quantified microdebris in surface waters of two bays on Livingston Island, Antarctica, finding plastic pollution in all samples at a mean concentration of 0.264 items/m², with polyester fibres dominating (61.67%) and distribution patterns suggesting local Antarctic activities as the primary contamination source.
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Researchers characterized microplastic distribution in both surface and subsurface Antarctic seawater, finding plastic contamination present at multiple depths and dominated by fibers and fragments, highlighting that even remote polar waters are affected by plastic pollution.
Macroplastics at sea around Antarctica
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Researchers conducted the first coordinated survey of macroplastic debris at sea around Antarctica during the 2007/08 austral summer, documenting the presence of plastic items in Antarctic waters despite the region's remoteness from major population centers. The findings demonstrate that plastic pollution has reached even the most isolated ocean environments and highlight the role of ocean circulation in transporting debris to polar regions.
Plastic occurrence, sources, and impacts in Antarctic environment and biota
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Researchers reviewed evidence of plastic pollution in Antarctica, finding microplastics — mostly fibers — in sea ice, ocean water, sediments, and both marine and land animals, raising concern that even the most remote ecosystems on Earth are contaminated and that biodiversity and ecosystem functions may be at risk.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.