Spatial & Temporal Patterns of Microplastic Pollution in Wellington, New Zealand, and the Southern Ocean

• Main Author: Shannon, Caitlyn
• Format: Thesis
• Language: unknown
• Published: 2020
• Subjects: Marine and Estuarine Ecology (incl. Marine Ichthyology); Microplastic pollution; Southern Ocean; Wellington; Spatial and temporal patterns; Mytilus galloprovincialis; School: School of Biological Sciences; 060205 Marine and Estuarine Ecology (incl. Marine Ichthyology); 960502 Ecosystem Assessment and Management of Antarctic and Sub-Antarctic Environments; 960503 Ecosystem Assessment and Management of Coastal and Estuarine Environments; 960507 Ecosystem Assessment and Management of Marine Environments; Degree Discipline: Marine Biology; Degree Level: Masters; Degree Name: Master of Science; Antarctic; Austral; New Zealand; Ross Sea; Antarc*; Antarctica
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.26686/wgtn.17148608.v1; https://figshare.com/articles/thesis/Spatial_Temporal_Patterns_of_Microplastic_Pollution_in_Wellington_New_Zealand_and_the_Southern_Ocean/17148608

The global marine environment is currently facing unprecedented anthropomorphic change and stress. One such stressor is plastic pollution, which has continually increased in magnitude since mass production began in the 1940’s. An increase in plastic debris throughout the oceans not only results in an infiltration of the pollutants throughout the entirety of the marine environment, but also increases the risk that it impacts the physiological, structural, and behavioural traits of various organisms – including humans. These negative interactions are particularly likely with microplastic particles (< 5 mm), as they can enter and be transferred throughout the food web with ease. However, research in the field of microplastic pollution is extremely one-sided, with most present studies focusing on the Northern Hemisphere. Additionally, comparatively little has been investigated regarding temporal and spatial patterns of microplastic occurrence. The aim of this research was to 1) examine the abundance and distribution of synthetic particles in sub-surface waters of the Southern Ocean, across broad temporal and spatial scales and 2) examine finer-scale spatial and temporal patterns of microplastic load within the urbanised Wellington Harbour, New Zealand, using a combination of environmental and biological indicators. To assess the broad-scales of temporal and spatial variation in the Southern Ocean, annual Continuous Plankton Recorder (CPR) tows were undertaken between New Zealand waters and the Ross Sea, Antarctica, over a span of 9 years (the austral summers of 2009/10 – 2017/18) and a range of 5 oceanographic zones and two frontal systems, totalling a distance of approximately 22,000 km. Overall, patterns were inconsistent, with no constant increase or decrease in load throughout the years, while spatial variation was minimal and not associated with particular oceanographic fronts or proximity to an urban area. Despite no consistent spatial variation, temporal differences did occur between years. Again, there ...