First evidence of microplastics in Antarctic snow

• Published in: The Cryosphere
• Main Authors: Aves AR, Gaw S, Ruffell H, Schuddeboom A, Wotherspoon NE, LaRue M, McDonald AJ, Revell, Laura
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Copernicus GmbH 2022
• Subjects: 0405 Oceanography; 0406 Physical Geography and Environmental Geoscience; Fields of Research::37 - Earth sciences::3708 - Oceanography; Fields of Research::41 - Environmental sciences::4105 - Pollution and contamination; Fields of Research::37 - Earth sciences::3709 - Physical geography and environmental geoscience; Antarctic; Ross Island; Antarc*; Antarctica; The Cryosphere
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10092/103967; https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-2127-2022

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 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.