Microplastics in Arctic polar waters: the first reported values of particles in surface and sub-surface samples.

Amy L Lusher,Rick Officer,Ian O’Connor,Valentina Tirelli

doi:10.1038/srep14947

Abstract

Plastic, as a form of marine litter, is found in varying quantities and sizes around the globe from surface waters to deep-sea sediments. Identifying patterns of microplastic distribution will benefit an understanding of the scale of their potential effect on the environment and organisms. As sea ice extent is reducing in the Arctic, heightened shipping and fishing activity may increase marine pollution in the area. Microplastics may enter the region following ocean transport and local input, although baseline contamination measurements are still required. Here we present the first study of microplastics in Arctic waters, south and southwest of Svalbard, Norway. Microplastics were found in surface (top 16 cm) and sub-surface (6 m depth) samples using two independent techniques. Origins and pathways bringing microplastic to the Arctic remain unclear. Particle composition (95% fibres) suggests they may either result from the breakdown of larger items (transported over large distances by prevailing currents, or derived from local vessel activity), or input in sewage and wastewater from coastal areas. Concurrent observations of high zooplankton abundance suggest a high probability for marine biota to encounter microplastics and a potential for trophic interactions. Further research is required to understand the effects of microplastic-biota interaction within this productive environment.

Highlights

Plastic, as a form of marine litter, is found in varying quantities and sizes around the globe from surface waters to deep-sea sediments
Microplastic presence was reported in ice cores from remote areas of the Arctic Ocean, at levels greater than those reported for Pacific Gyre surface waters[11]
This study aims to describe the distribution and abundance of polar microplastics

Summary

Introduction

As a form of marine litter, is found in varying quantities and sizes around the globe from surface waters to deep-sea sediments. Further research is required to understand the effects of microplastic-biota interaction within this productive environment. Contamination of the world’s open oceans, enclosed seas and coastal waters by synthetic non-biodegradable material has become a high profile environmental concern[1]. Of this debris, plastic (both macro- and micro-) make up the largest quantity and can be related to increased production of anthropogenic materials and growing dependence on plastic products. Microplastic presence was reported in ice cores from remote areas of the Arctic Ocean, at levels greater than those reported for Pacific Gyre surface waters[11]. Determination of the relationships between sources and sinks of microplastics will help to identify areas possibly vulnerable to microplastic accumulation

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