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Quantification and distribution of marine microdebris in the surface waters of Livingston Island (South Shetland Islands, Antarctica).
Summary
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.
Microdebris are ubiquitous and the Southern Ocean is no exception. Despite the recent increment in Antarctic studies assessing this threat, there is still scarce information available. Here, we quantified the microdebris in surface water, and their distribution within two bays of Livingston Island (South Shetlands, Antarctica). The two studied bays included one with human presence and one pristine, barely visited. Microdebris pollution was found in all samples with a mean concentration of 0.264 ± 0.185 items/m. Fibres (82.19 %) were the main item, with polyester (61.67 %) as the main plastic polymer, followed by nylon (29.54 %). No differences in the distribution pattern were observed, with microdebris being homogeneously distributed along the two bays. Our results suggest that nearshore waters of Livingston Island are prone to the accumulation and retention of microdebris. The composition of the microdebris also points to Antarctic local activities as principal contamination contributors.
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