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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Understanding the new threat of microplastic pollution in the Ross Sea: a review
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.
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.
Microplastic pollution in a rapidly changing world: Implications for remote and vulnerable marine ecosystems
Researchers reviewed the growing body of evidence on microplastic pollution reaching remote and vulnerable marine ecosystems far from major human activities. The study highlights that these ecosystems, already under stress from climate change, face additional threats from microplastic contamination whose long-term biological and ecological effects remain poorly understood.
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.
Multi-specific assessment of microplastic ingestion by Antarctic fish from the Ross Sea (Southern Ocean)
Researchers examined 145 fish from seven species in Antarctica's Ross Sea and found microplastic contamination in about one-third of all individuals, including three species never previously tested. The study, one of the largest assessments of microplastic ingestion by Antarctic fish to date, found contamination across multiple important ecological locations. The findings demonstrate that microplastic pollution has reached even the most remote marine ecosystems on Earth.
Advocating microbial diversity conservation in Antarctica
This review highlights how human activities, tourism, and climate change are threatening Antarctica's unique microbial ecosystems, with microplastics now reaching even this remote continent. While focused on conservation, the study underscores that microplastic pollution is truly global in scale, contaminating environments far from any source of plastic production.
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.
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.
Assessing the current state of plastic pollution research in Antarctica: Knowledge gaps and recommendations
This review assessed the current state of research on plastic pollution in Antarctica, one of the most remote regions on Earth. Researchers found that despite its isolation, plastic contamination has been detected across Antarctic environments and wildlife, though significant knowledge gaps remain. The study recommends standardized sampling methods and more comprehensive monitoring to better understand the true extent of plastic pollution in Antarctic ecosystems.
Microplastics in the sediments of Terra Nova Bay (Ross Sea, Antarctica)
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.
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.
Textile microfibers in wild Antarctic whelk Neobuccinum eatoni (Smith, 1875) from Terra Nova Bay (Ross Sea, Antarctica)
Researchers detected textile microfibers in wild Antarctic whelk specimens collected from Terra Nova Bay in the Ross Sea, one of the world's largest marine protected areas. The study provides evidence that microplastic contamination from both global long-range transport and local human activities has reached even remote Antarctic benthic 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.
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 Antarctic air: revealing current findings
This review examines the growing body of evidence on microplastic air pollution in Antarctica, one of the most remote places on Earth. Researchers found that both micro- and nanoplastics have been detected in Antarctic air, posing potential threats to this fragile ecosystem and its freshwater reserves. The study emphasizes that global action to reduce microplastic emissions is essential, since these particles can travel vast distances through the atmosphere.
First detection of microplastics in the freshwater of an Antarctic Specially Protected Area
Microplastics were detected for the first time in the freshwater of an Antarctic Specially Protected Area (ASPA), representing an advance of plastic pollution into one of the most strictly regulated and remote ecosystems on Earth. The finding confirms that even areas with restricted human access are not free from microplastic contamination.
Microplastic Pollution in Penguins from Antarctic Peninsula
Researchers investigated microplastic pollution in penguins from the Antarctic Peninsula, examining the presence and characteristics of plastic particles in these seabirds as indicators of contamination in one of the most remote marine ecosystems on Earth.
Microplastics in the Southern Ocean: Findings from the Continuous Plankton Recorder in the Ross Sea and the East Antarctic Regions
This study found microplastics widely distributed in surface waters of the Southern Ocean near Antarctica, collected via continuous plankton recorder samples. The detection of plastics in these remote polar waters confirms that microplastic contamination has reached essentially every corner of the global ocean.
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.
Microplastics in polar regions: An early warning to the world's pristine ecosystem
This review summarized evidence for microplastic contamination in Arctic and Antarctic environments — including water, sea ice, sediment, and biota — characterizing polar regions as sinks for globally transported plastic particles and calling for improved monitoring to track long-term trends.
Assessment of otolith variability and micro litter pollution in Antarctic teleostean in relation to Ross Sea water circulation
This study examined microplastic contamination in Antarctic teleost fish, analyzing otolith variability and micro-litter pollution in relation to Ross Sea water circulation patterns. The results contribute baseline data on microplastic distribution in one of the world's most remote marine environments.
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.
Determination of the presence of microplastics in intertidal sediments of deception island, antarctica
Researchers determined the presence and characteristics of microplastics in intertidal sediments of Deception Island, Antarctica, providing evidence that plastic contamination has reached one of Earth's most remote environments and documenting the role of marine sediments as sinks for persistent microplastic pollution.
Microplastic Interactions and Possible Combined Biological Effects in Antarctic Marine Ecosystems
This review examined microplastic interactions and potential combined biological effects in Antarctic marine ecosystems, highlighting how even remote polar environments face increasing threats from plastic debris transported from lower latitudes and local human activities.