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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ftdoajarticles:oai:doaj.org/article:d7e052735aca4790b463571b417ab4f6 2023-05-15T13:35:16+02:00 First evidence of microplastics in Antarctic snow A. R. Aves L. E. Revell S. Gaw H. Ruffell A. Schuddeboom N. E. Wotherspoon M. LaRue A. J. McDonald 2022-06-01T00:00:00Z https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-2127-2022 https://doaj.org/article/d7e052735aca4790b463571b417ab4f6 EN eng Copernicus Publications https://tc.copernicus.org/articles/16/2127/2022/tc-16-2127-2022.pdf https://doaj.org/toc/1994-0416 https://doaj.org/toc/1994-0424 doi:10.5194/tc-16-2127-2022 1994-0416 1994-0424 https://doaj.org/article/d7e052735aca4790b463571b417ab4f6 The Cryosphere, Vol 16, Pp 2127-2145 (2022) Environmental sciences GE1-350 Geology QE1-996.5 article 2022 ftdoajarticles https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-2127-2022 2022-12-30T23:05:44Z 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 ( µ FTIR). 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 km, assuming a residence time of 6.5 d. 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. Article in Journal/Newspaper Antarc* Antarctic Antarctica Ross Island The Cryosphere Directory of Open Access Journals: DOAJ Articles Antarctic Ross Island The Cryosphere 16 6 2127 2145 |
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Open Polar |
collection |
Directory of Open Access Journals: DOAJ Articles |
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ftdoajarticles |
language |
English |
topic |
Environmental sciences GE1-350 Geology QE1-996.5 |
spellingShingle |
Environmental sciences GE1-350 Geology QE1-996.5 A. R. Aves L. E. Revell S. Gaw H. Ruffell A. Schuddeboom N. E. Wotherspoon M. LaRue A. J. McDonald First evidence of microplastics in Antarctic snow |
topic_facet |
Environmental sciences GE1-350 Geology QE1-996.5 |
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 ( µ FTIR). 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 km, assuming a residence time of 6.5 d. 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 |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
A. R. Aves L. E. Revell S. Gaw H. Ruffell A. Schuddeboom N. E. Wotherspoon M. LaRue A. J. McDonald |
author_facet |
A. R. Aves L. E. Revell S. Gaw H. Ruffell A. Schuddeboom N. E. Wotherspoon M. LaRue A. J. McDonald |
author_sort |
A. R. Aves |
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 |
publisher |
Copernicus Publications |
publishDate |
2022 |
url |
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-2127-2022 https://doaj.org/article/d7e052735aca4790b463571b417ab4f6 |
geographic |
Antarctic Ross Island |
geographic_facet |
Antarctic Ross Island |
genre |
Antarc* Antarctic Antarctica Ross Island The Cryosphere |
genre_facet |
Antarc* Antarctic Antarctica Ross Island The Cryosphere |
op_source |
The Cryosphere, Vol 16, Pp 2127-2145 (2022) |
op_relation |
https://tc.copernicus.org/articles/16/2127/2022/tc-16-2127-2022.pdf https://doaj.org/toc/1994-0416 https://doaj.org/toc/1994-0424 doi:10.5194/tc-16-2127-2022 1994-0416 1994-0424 https://doaj.org/article/d7e052735aca4790b463571b417ab4f6 |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-2127-2022 |
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The Cryosphere |
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16 |
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6 |
container_start_page |
2127 |
op_container_end_page |
2145 |
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1766063622831734784 |