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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Microplastics in polar regions: An early warning to the world's pristine ecosystem
ClearPolar pollution: protecting Antarctic marine ecosystems from microplastics
This review investigated microplastic contamination in Antarctic marine ecosystems, finding that ocean currents carry plastics to even the most remote polar regions, and discussing the policy landscape and strategies needed to protect this ecologically critical environment.
Microplastics in the Antarctic marine system: An emerging area of research
This paper reviewed microplastics research in the Antarctic marine system, identifying it as an emerging research area and documenting the first evidence of microplastic contamination in this remote polar environment.
Microplastic Pollution in the Polar Oceans – A Review
Microplastic pollution has reached even the remote Arctic and Antarctic polar oceans, making it a truly global environmental problem. This review summarizes what is known about polar microplastic contamination, highlights a surge in plastic waste linked to COVID-19-era demand, and calls for more research on how these particles affect polar ecosystems.
Plastic occurrence, sources, and impacts in Antarctic environment and biota
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.
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.
Pollution Has No Borders: Microplastics in Antarctica
This review documents the spread of microplastics throughout Antarctica -- in seawater, sediments, freshwater lakes, snow, glaciers, and marine organisms -- despite the continent having minimal local pollution sources. The findings demonstrate that microplastic contamination is truly global, reaching even the most isolated ecosystems on Earth through atmospheric and ocean currents.
Nanoplastics measurements in Northern and Southern polar ice
Researchers measured nanoplastic concentrations in polar ice from both the Arctic and Antarctic regions. They detected nanoplastic particles in ice samples from both poles, confirming that plastic pollution has reached even the most remote environments on Earth. The study demonstrates that nanoplastics are now a globally distributed contaminant, present even in pristine polar regions far from major population centers.
Microplastics and Nanoplastics in Antarctica. Considerations on Their Impact on Ecosystems and Human and Fauna Health
This review examines the current state of knowledge about microplastic and nanoplastic contamination in Antarctica, assessing concentrations detected in air, water, sediment, and biota across the continent. The authors discuss the vulnerability of polar ecosystems to plastic pollution and the challenges of attribution given long-range atmospheric and oceanic transport pathways.
Microplastic Pollution in Antarctic Environments
This review examines microplastic pollution in Antarctic environments, summarizing evidence that even this remote continent has been contaminated by plastic particles, with implications for its unique fauna, influence on global climate systems, and value as a pristine scientific reference site.
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.
Environmental contamination and climate change in Antarctic ecosystems: an updated overview
This review provides an updated overview of environmental contamination and climate change impacts on Antarctic ecosystems. While brief, the topic is relevant to microplastic research because Antarctica, once considered pristine, has been found to contain microplastics, highlighting just how far-reaching global plastic pollution has become.
Microplastics in Southern Ocean sea ice: a pan-Antarctic perspective
The first pan-Antarctic survey of microplastics in Southern Ocean sea ice found an average of 44.8 particles per liter across 19 archived ice core samples, with 19 different polymer types detected even in one of Earth's most remote regions. This confirms that microplastic contamination has reached the polar oceans and is being concentrated and transported by sea ice, with implications for the marine food web as the ice melts.
Occurrence of Microplastics (MPs) in Antarctica and Its Impact on the Health of Organisms
This review compiled recent findings on microplastic occurrence in Antarctica in both water and sediment, finding that tourism, fishing, and research activities have introduced MPs to this previously considered pristine environment with documented impacts on Antarctic organisms.
The problem of Microplastic Accumulation in the Arctic Ocean
This review highlights the emerging threat of microplastic accumulation in the rapidly warming Arctic Ocean, documenting MP presence in seawater, sediments, sea ice, and marine organisms and identifying the Arctic as a convergence zone for plastic pollution transported by ocean currents.
Exploring potential effects of microplastic contamination in Antarctic soils
Researchers reviewed the potential effects of microplastic contamination in Antarctic soils, synthesizing available evidence on microplastic occurrence, polymer composition, and ecological impacts in one of Earth's most pristine terrestrial environments. The review found that microplastics are present even in remote Antarctic soil ecosystems and may pose risks to soil invertebrates and microbial communities that underpin fragile polar food webs.
Microplastics in Surface Waters of the Russian Arctic Seas: Distribution, Concentration, Identification, and Eco-Risks for Fish
Microplastics were detected across surface waters of the Russian Arctic seas, with concentrations and polymer types varying by region and season. The findings document that even high-latitude Arctic waters are not spared from microplastic contamination, likely transported by ocean currents and rivers.
The Microplastics Occurrence and Toxic Effects in Marine Environment
This review examines the occurrence routes and toxic effects of microplastics in marine environments, documenting contamination even in previously pristine areas such as Arctic and Antarctic oceans and highlighting the broad ecological impacts on marine ecosystems.
Pollution in Antarctica
This overview documents microplastic pollution in Antarctica, summarizing evidence of contamination in seawater, sea ice, sediment, snow, and wildlife despite Antarctica's remoteness, highlighting that long-range atmospheric and oceanic transport delivers plastics to even the most pristine environments.
Distribution characteristics of microplastics in surface and subsurface Antarctic seawater
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.
A review of microplastic contamination in the cryosphere
This review synthesizes current knowledge on microplastic occurrence, sources, and transport in cryospheric environments including Antarctica, the Arctic, and high-altitude regions like the Andes and Alps. Microplastics reach these remote areas primarily via atmospheric and hydrological transport, accumulate in snow and ice as temporary sinks, and are released during melt events — threatening downstream ecosystems.
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 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.
Occurrence of microplastics (MPs) in Antarctica and its impact on the health of organisms
This review summarizes existing research on microplastic pollution in Antarctica, covering how these tiny plastic particles reach even the most remote environments through fishing, tourism, and ocean currents. Despite Antarctica being considered pristine, microplastics have been found in both water and sediment across the region. The findings highlight that no place on Earth is free from microplastic contamination, raising concerns about effects on wildlife and ecosystems that are connected to global food chains.
Seabirds from the poles: microplastics pollution sentinels
Researchers reviewed four decades of studies on microplastic ingestion by seabirds in Arctic and Antarctic regions, covering at least 13 species. They found that polar seabirds regularly ingest microplastics, with polyethylene being the most common type detected. The study highlights that even some of the most remote ecosystems on Earth are not immune to plastic pollution.