First evidence of microplastics in Antarctic snow
In recent years, airborne microplastics have been identified in a range of remote environments. However, data throughout the Southern Hemisphere, in particular Antarctica, are largely absent to date. We collected snow samples from 19 sites across the Ross Island region of Antarctica. Suspected micro...
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ftcopernicus:oai:publications.copernicus.org:tcd100219 2023-05-15T14:02:17+02:00 First evidence of microplastics in Antarctic snow Aves, Alex R. Revell, Laura E. Gaw, Sally Ruffell, Helena Schuddeboom, Alex Wotherspoon, Ngaire E. LaRue, Michelle McDonald, Adrian J. 2022-01-04 application/pdf https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-2021-385 https://tc.copernicus.org/preprints/tc-2021-385/ eng eng doi:10.5194/tc-2021-385 https://tc.copernicus.org/preprints/tc-2021-385/ eISSN: 1994-0424 Text 2022 ftcopernicus https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-2021-385 2022-01-10T17:22:17Z In recent years, airborne microplastics have been identified in a range of remote environments. However, data throughout the Southern Hemisphere, in particular Antarctica, are largely absent to date. We collected snow samples from 19 sites across the Ross Island region of Antarctica. Suspected microplastic particles were isolated and their composition confirmed using micro-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (μFTIR).We identified microplastics in all Antarctic snow samples at an average concentration of 29 particles L −1 , with fibres the most common morphotype and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) the most common polymer. To investigate sources, backward air mass trajectories were run from the time of sampling. These indicate potential long-range transportation of up to 6000 kilometers, assuming a residence time of 6.5 days. Local sources were also identified as potential inputs into the environment, as the polymers identified were consistent with those used in clothing and equipment from nearby research stations. This study adds to the growing body of literature regarding microplastics as a ubiquitous airborne pollutant, and establishes their presence in Antarctica. Text Antarc* Antarctic Antarctica Ross Island Copernicus Publications: E-Journals Antarctic Ross Island |
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Copernicus Publications: E-Journals |
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English |
description |
In recent years, airborne microplastics have been identified in a range of remote environments. However, data throughout the Southern Hemisphere, in particular Antarctica, are largely absent to date. We collected snow samples from 19 sites across the Ross Island region of Antarctica. Suspected microplastic particles were isolated and their composition confirmed using micro-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (μFTIR).We identified microplastics in all Antarctic snow samples at an average concentration of 29 particles L −1 , with fibres the most common morphotype and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) the most common polymer. To investigate sources, backward air mass trajectories were run from the time of sampling. These indicate potential long-range transportation of up to 6000 kilometers, assuming a residence time of 6.5 days. Local sources were also identified as potential inputs into the environment, as the polymers identified were consistent with those used in clothing and equipment from nearby research stations. This study adds to the growing body of literature regarding microplastics as a ubiquitous airborne pollutant, and establishes their presence in Antarctica. |
format |
Text |
author |
Aves, Alex R. Revell, Laura E. Gaw, Sally Ruffell, Helena Schuddeboom, Alex Wotherspoon, Ngaire E. LaRue, Michelle McDonald, Adrian J. |
spellingShingle |
Aves, Alex R. Revell, Laura E. Gaw, Sally Ruffell, Helena Schuddeboom, Alex Wotherspoon, Ngaire E. LaRue, Michelle McDonald, Adrian J. First evidence of microplastics in Antarctic snow |
author_facet |
Aves, Alex R. Revell, Laura E. Gaw, Sally Ruffell, Helena Schuddeboom, Alex Wotherspoon, Ngaire E. LaRue, Michelle McDonald, Adrian J. |
author_sort |
Aves, Alex R. |
title |
First evidence of microplastics in Antarctic snow |
title_short |
First evidence of microplastics in Antarctic snow |
title_full |
First evidence of microplastics in Antarctic snow |
title_fullStr |
First evidence of microplastics in Antarctic snow |
title_full_unstemmed |
First evidence of microplastics in Antarctic snow |
title_sort |
first evidence of microplastics in antarctic snow |
publishDate |
2022 |
url |
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-2021-385 https://tc.copernicus.org/preprints/tc-2021-385/ |
geographic |
Antarctic Ross Island |
geographic_facet |
Antarctic Ross Island |
genre |
Antarc* Antarctic Antarctica Ross Island |
genre_facet |
Antarc* Antarctic Antarctica Ross Island |
op_source |
eISSN: 1994-0424 |
op_relation |
doi:10.5194/tc-2021-385 https://tc.copernicus.org/preprints/tc-2021-385/ |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-2021-385 |
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1766272479646449664 |