Snow with microplastics in Antarctica
Miscellaneous / / June 09, 2022
It is not yet clear whether the particles came from afar, or are associated with human activities on the continent.
Scientists have discovered microplastics in freshly fallen snow in Antarctica that could accelerate ice melt and harm the continent's unique ecosystem. This is evidenced by the results of the study, published in the scientific journal The Cryosphere.
Tiny pieces of plastic have previously been found in Antarctic sea ice and surface water, but this is the first time it has been found in fresh sediment.
This discovery was made by Alex Aves, a student at the University of Canterbury (New Zealand). She collected rainfall samples from the Ross Ice Shelf to determine if microplastics from the atmosphere got into the snow. The supervisor also suggested that she take samples from the Scott Base roadway and station McMurdo, where traces of microplastics were previously found - so that she was guaranteed to have materials for study.
However, this was an extra precaution: microplastics were found in all 19 samples from the Ross Glacier. The average concentration was 29 particles per liter of melted snow, which is higher than in early sea ice and water studied. At the same time, samples taken near scientific bases showed even higher concentrations: almost three times more than in remote areas.
In total, 13 different types of plastic were found, with PET being the most popular, commonly used to make bottles and clothing. Atmospheric simulations have shown that they could travel thousands of miles through the air, but it is equally likely that the presence of humans in Antarctica left a microplastic "footprint".
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