ON THE OCCURRENCE OF MICROPLASTICS IN THE SEAS OF THE WESTERN SECTOR OF THE RUSSIAN ARCTIC ...

• Main Author: Pedchenko, A.P.
• Format: Conference Object
• Language: English
• Published: Инфинити 2023
• Subjects: microplastics; anthropogenic pollution; Barents and Kara Seas; Arctic; Arctic Basin
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.34660/inf.2023.22.30.103; http://search.rads-doi.org/project/13783/object/201434

VNIRO has collected a significant volume of water samples to assess microplastic (MP) pollution in surface waters of the western sector of the Russian Arctic over the past five years. The conducted studies made it possible to update data on the occurrence and distribution characteristics of MP, synthetic fibers and other anthropogenic pollutants. Observations have shown that the nature of the distribution of MPs and their occurrence within the boundaries of the surveyed water areas changes annually. The assumptions about the existence of localizations and anomalous concentrations of MPs were not confirmed, which indirectly indicates their transport by currents and ice in the Arctic basin, as well as their removal beyond its borders. In our opinion, the increase in anthropogenic pressure on marine ecosystems, including plastic pollution, as a result of the continued warming trend, the development of transport and shipping in the Arctic region, requires the adoption of preventive actions to protect Arctic ...