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Article ? AI-assigned paper type based on the abstract. Classification may not be perfect — flag errors using the feedback button. Tier 2 ? Original research — experimental, observational, or case-control study. Direct primary evidence. Environmental Sources Marine & Wildlife Sign in to save

Microplastics in the sediments of Terra Nova Bay (Ross Sea, Antarctica)

Marine Pollution Bulletin 2017 302 citations ? Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count. Score: 45 ? 0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.
Cristina Munari, Cristina Munari, Cristina Munari, Michele Mistri Michele Mistri Michele Mistri Michele Mistri Michele Mistri Cristina Munari, Cristina Munari, Cinzia Corinaldesi, Cinzia Corinaldesi, Cinzia Corinaldesi, Cinzia Corinaldesi, Cinzia Corinaldesi, Cinzia Corinaldesi, Cristina Munari, Vanessa Infantini, Marco Scoponi, Vanessa Infantini, Marco Scoponi, Marco Scoponi, Marco Scoponi, Marco Scoponi, Eugenio Rastelli, Vanessa Infantini, Vanessa Infantini, Vanessa Infantini, Vanessa Infantini, Vanessa Infantini, Vanessa Infantini, Marco Scoponi, Marco Scoponi, Marco Scoponi, Michele Mistri Marco Scoponi, Marco Scoponi, Marco Scoponi, Marco Scoponi, Eugenio Rastelli, Marco Scoponi, Marco Scoponi, Marco Scoponi, Cinzia Corinaldesi, Marco Scoponi, Marco Scoponi, Cristina Munari, Cristina Munari, Marco Scoponi, Eugenio Rastelli, Cristina Munari, Cristina Munari, Cristina Munari, Michele Mistri Marco Scoponi, Cinzia Corinaldesi, Michele Mistri Marco Scoponi, Cristina Munari, Cristina Munari, Michele Mistri Cristina Munari, Cristina Munari, Cristina Munari, Cristina Munari, Cristina Munari, Cristina Munari, Cristina Munari, Cristina Munari, Michele Mistri Cristina Munari, Michele Mistri Michele Mistri Eugenio Rastelli, Cristina Munari, Michele Mistri Cinzia Corinaldesi, Cristina Munari, Cristina Munari, Michele Mistri Cristina Munari, Cristina Munari, Michele Mistri Cristina Munari, Cinzia Corinaldesi, Cinzia Corinaldesi, Cristina Munari, Cristina Munari, Michele Mistri

Summary

The first survey of plastic contamination in Antarctic seafloor sediments from Terra Nova Bay found microplastics in all 31 samples collected, with a diverse range of polymer types. This confirms that even remote polar deep-sea sediments are not free of human-derived plastic pollution.

Study Type Environmental

This is the first survey to investigate the occurrence and extent of plastic contamination in sediments collected in Terra Nova Bay (Ross Sea, Antarctica). Plastic debris extracted from 31 samples of sediments were counted, weighted and identified by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). All sediment samples contained plastics: a total of 1661 items of debris (3.14g) were recorded from the 31 samples of sediment. Plastic particles in the samples ranged from 0.3 to 22mm in length. Fibres were the most frequent type of small plastics debris detected. In terms of abundance, microplastics (<5mm) accounted for 78.4% of debris. 9 polymer types were found: the most common material (94.13% by weight) was styrene-butadiene-styrene copolymer (SBS), widely used in pneumatic tires, etc. A decreasing concentration of plastic debris at increasing distances from the Mario Zucchelli Base was evidenced.

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