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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Occurrence and sources of microplastics on Arctic beaches: Svalbard
ClearThe occurrence and sources of microplastics to Arctic and sub-Arctic beaches: human influence on local microplastic hotspots
Researchers characterized microplastic occurrence and sources at Arctic and sub-Arctic beaches, finding that proximity to human settlements creates local hotspots, while more remote beaches receive microplastics primarily through long-range oceanic transport.
Investigation of microplastic pollution in Arctic fjord water: a case study of Rijpfjorden, Northern Svalbard
Researchers investigated microplastic contamination in the remote Rijpfjorden fjord in Northern Svalbard, sampling both surface water and the water column down to 200 m, and found widespread microplastic presence even in this Arctic environment far from major pollution sources.
Microplastics in Arctic polar waters: the first reported values of particles in surface and sub-surface samples
Researchers reported some of the first measured values for microplastic particles in Arctic polar waters, finding contamination even in these remote high-latitude waters and raising questions about long-range transport mechanisms.
Microplastic pollution in the surface sediment of Kongsfjorden, Svalbard, Arctic
Researchers investigated microplastic pollution in surface sediments of Kongsfjorden, Svalbard, documenting MP presence in this remote Arctic fjord and contributing to understanding of microplastic distribution in polar sediment compartments.
Characteristics and quantification of small microplastics (<100 µm) in seasonal svalbard snow on glaciers and lands
Researchers found tiny microplastic particles (smaller than 100 micrometers) in snow samples from Arctic glaciers and tundra in Svalbard, Norway. The amounts were lower on remote glaciers and higher near the research settlement, showing that these particles travel long distances through the air but also come from nearby human activity. This highlights how microplastic pollution reaches even the most isolated places on Earth.
Marine Microplastics in Polar Region—a Spitsbergen Case Study
Researchers detected both primary and secondary microplastics in waters around Svalbard (Spitsbergen) in the Arctic during a 2017 expedition. The findings confirm that microplastic pollution has reached even remote polar regions, raising concerns about contamination of Arctic ecosystems.
Microplastics in Svalbard fjords: influence of hydrodynamics and local pollution sources
Researchers studied the distribution of surface and subsurface microplastics in Svalbard fjords over three years (July 2021-2023), investigating how hydrodynamics, river discharge, and local pollution sources influence microplastic fate in Arctic coastal waters.
Summer sea ice melt and wastewater are important local sources of microlitter to Svalbard waters
Scientists sampled waters around Svalbard and found that seasonal melting of sea ice is a significant local source of microplastics, releasing particles accumulated over winter, while untreated wastewater discharge was another important local source in this Arctic environment.
First Evidence of Microplastic Occurrence in the Marine and Freshwater Environments in a Remote Polar Region of the Kola Peninsula and a Correlation with Human Presence
Researchers documented the first evidence of microplastic contamination in both marine and freshwater environments in a remote tundra region of the Kola Peninsula near the Arctic. Microplastics were found in all water samples from the Barents Sea and nearby lakes, with concentrations correlating to the proximity of a human research station. The findings indicate that even minimal human presence in remote polar regions can contribute to local microplastic pollution.
Assessment of Prevalence and Heterogeneity of Meso- and Microplastic Pollution in Icelandic Waters
Surface water sampling around Iceland found mesoplastics and microplastics at all six coastal sites, with nearshore locations near populated areas showing higher concentrations, suggesting local human activity contributes to plastic pollution even in remote subarctic waters.
Citizen scientists reveal small but concentrated amounts of fragmented microplastic on Arctic beaches
Citizen scientists on Arctic tourist cruises collected beach sediment samples from Svalbard and found microplastics at all sites, with small but concentrated quantities of fragmented particles. The study confirms that even remote Arctic beaches are contaminated with microplastics, likely transported from distant sources, and demonstrates the value of citizen science for expanding monitoring coverage in hard-to-reach regions.
Microplastic pellets in Arctic marine sediments: a common source or a common process?
Researchers examined microplastic pellet contamination in Arctic marine sediments to understand whether their presence reflects common sources or shared degradation processes. The study found that microplastics are accumulating on the Arctic seafloor, contributing to growing evidence that plastic pollution reaches even the most remote ocean environments.
Microplastics in Svalbard fjords: influence of hydrodynamics and local pollution sources
Researchers studied microplastic distribution in Svalbard fjords over three years (July 2021-2023) using both neuston net surface sampling and pump-based subsurface collection, examining the role of rivers, local populations, and hydrodynamics on microplastic fate in Arctic coastal waters. They found the highest concentrations in populated Adventfjorden, with peak levels of up to 71,400 items/km2 along the river plume boundary.
Microplastics in surface seawater of Kongsfjorden, Svalbard, Arctic
Researchers measured microplastic abundance, distribution, and characteristics in surface seawater of Kongsfjorden, Svalbard, in the Arctic, collecting 18 samples with manta trawls. Microplastics were detected across all sites including the inner fjord, with fiber morphotypes dominant, confirming that even this remote Arctic fjord is contaminated by plastic particles transported via ocean currents and atmospheric deposition.
Occurrence and Distribution of Microplastics in Soils and Intertidal Sediments at Fildes Bay, Maritime Antarctica
Researchers found microplastic contamination in soils and intertidal sediments at Fildes Bay in Maritime Antarctica, with higher concentrations near research stations, demonstrating that even remote polar environments are affected by microplastic pollution.
First evidence of microplastic occurrence in the marine and freshwater environments in a remote polar region of the Kola Peninsula and a correlation with human presence
Researchers documented the first evidence of microplastic contamination — both fibers and fragments — in the marine waters of the Barents Sea and remote freshwater lakes of the Kola Peninsula, with levels correlating to the degree of local human activity.
Sea ice and a wastewater outlet identified as hotspots for anthropogenic microlitter in Svalbard waters
Researchers identified Arctic sea ice and a wastewater outlet in Svalbard as hotspots for microplastic accumulation in Arctic waters. Sea ice acted as a temporary reservoir for plastic particles that were then released into the water column during melting, suggesting that Arctic ice could be an important, underappreciated source of microplastic contamination in polar seas.
Anthropogenic particles in sediment from an Arctic fjord
Researchers developed two sampling designs to collect sediment subsamples from an Arctic fjord in Svalbard, finding anthropogenic particles including microplastics and dyed fibres, and contributing to the limited data on plastic contamination levels in Arctic environments.
Where does Arctic beach debris come from? Analyzing debris composition and provenance on Svalbard aided by citizen scientists
Citizen scientists helped researchers collect and analyze marine debris on beaches in Svalbard, a remote Arctic archipelago. By examining the composition and origin of the debris, the team identified both local sources and evidence of long-distance oceanic transport bringing plastic waste to the Arctic. The study demonstrates how citizen science can expand data collection in remote regions and improve our understanding of how plastic pollution reaches even the most isolated environments.
Litter and Microplastics: Environmental monitoring in the Arctic
This study describes a monitoring program for plastic litter and microplastics in Arctic environments, combining beach surveys with water sampling across Norwegian Arctic sites. Even in remote polar regions far from major population centers, significant and increasing plastic pollution was found, highlighting the global reach of this environmental problem.
A first assessment of microplastics and other anthropogenic particles in Hudson Bay and the surrounding eastern Canadian Arctic waters of Nunavut
Scientists collected surface water, zooplankton, sediment, and snow samples from Hudson Bay to northern Baffin Island and found microplastics in all sample types, providing the first comprehensive assessment of microplastic contamination across this broad eastern Canadian Arctic region.
Atmospheric microplastics in the Arctic Region: An examination of deposited and suspended atmospheric microplastics in Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard
Researchers measured atmospheric microplastic deposition and suspension in Ny-Alesund, Svalbard, finding microplastics in both deposited and airborne samples from this remote High Arctic location and characterizing dominant polymer types and potential source regions.
Occurrence and sources of microplastics and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in surface sediments of Svalbard, Arctic
Researchers found microplastics — exclusively in fiber form composed of polyester, rayon, and cellulose — in Arctic sediments from two Svalbard fjords, alongside polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, suggesting fisheries activity and textiles as primary pollution sources in this remote environment.
Microplastic pollution in the Greenland Sea: Background levels and selective contamination of planktivorous diving seabirds
Researchers quantified microplastic contamination in the Greenland Sea, studying both surface water samples and planktivorous diving seabirds. The study found that despite being far from major pollution sources, the Arctic contains measurable microplastic levels and that seabirds in the region are selectively contaminated, confirming the widespread reach of microplastic pollution.