The amounts of microplastics in the water around Antarctica are, according to newly published research, five times greater than previously assumed.
The Antarctic Ocean covers approximately 8.5 million square kilometers and represents 5.4% of the oceans on Earth. The marine ecosystem is vulnerable. Krill (small shrimp-like creatures) is a major and important component for the whales, seals, and penguins that inhabit the area. Krill that confuse microplastics with food are a potential toxic food source.
British researchers have studied all available information regarding the influx of microplastics into the Antarctic Sea. Their calculations show that, as a result of tourism, fishing, and scientific activities in the area, up to 500 kilograms of microbeads from personal care products enter the water each decade, along with up to 25.5 billion synthetic fibers from clothing. It is unknown whether there is an influx of microplastics from other oceans.
Although scientific knowledge about exact quantities is limited, it is known that microplastics are found in all layers of the Antarctic Ocean, including the seabed off the coast of Antarctica. Recent research by Adventure Science indicates that the sea around the Antarctic Peninsula contains an average of 22 pieces of microplastic per liter. Another study conducted near the South Shetland Islands found up to 766 plastic particles per square meter at depths between 6 and 11 meters.
Dr. Catherine Waller, ecology expert and marine biologist at the University of Hull in the UK, stated in a press release from the British Antarctic Survey: “Our results indicate that urgent research is needed on the quantities of microplastic in the Antarctic Ocean and around the continent of Antarctica.”
For more information on microplastic soup, you can consult our dossier on the subject here.
.png)
