Microplastics Found In Fresh Snow On Antarctica For The First Time

Microplastics have been found in freshly fallen snow in Antarctica for the very first time.

Situated on the South Pole, Antartica really does look like a winter wonderland, however, a new study, titled 'First evidence of microplastics in Antarctic snow' – has flagged some major concerns.

Alex Aves

"Microplastics are of concern because of their widespread presence in the oceans and the potential physical and toxicological risks they pose to organisms," as per University of Plymouth.

"Microplastics can be ingested by a wide range of animals and have been found in organisms ranging in size from small invertebrates to large mammals."

Their presence in the air also has the potential to accelerate the melting of ice and snow.

The research team included University of Canterbury PhD student, Alex Aves, who helped collect snow samples from 19 sites across the Ross Island region of Antarctica.

“When Alex travelled to Antarctica in 2019, we were optimistic that she wouldn’t find any microplastics in such a pristine and remote location,” Associate Professor in Environmental Physics Dr Laura Revell says.

Alex added: “It’s incredibly sad but finding microplastics in fresh Antarctic snow highlights the extent of plastic pollution into even the most remote regions of the world.

“We collected snow samples from 19 sites across the Ross Island region of Antarctica and found microplastics in all of these.”

Lucy Howell

Associate Professor Revell said: “Looking back now, I’m not at all surprised.

“From the studies published in the last few years we’ve learned that everywhere we look for airborne microplastics, we find them.”

The team discovered that an average of 29 microplastic particles per litre of melted snow were present, which happens to be higher than marine concentrations previously found from the surrounding Ross Sea and in Antarctic sea ice.

Bella Zeldis

Antarctica New Zealand environmental advisor Natasha Gardiner said: “Alex and her colleagues’ research enables Antarctic Treaty Parties to make evidence-based decisions regarding the urgent need to reduce plastic pollution in the future.

“It improves our understanding of the extent of plastic pollution near to Scott Base and where it’s coming from.

“We can use this information to reduce plastic pollution at its source and inform our broader environmental management practices.

“Importantly, this research project also informs policy at the international level, and we have submitted a paper on the findings to the forthcoming Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting.” 

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