Pollution Reaches Most Remote Region As Scientists Discover Microplastics In Antarctic Sea Ice
Researchers have reportedly discovered small pieces of plastic in Antarctic sea ice. They found the microplastics in an ice core taken from the frozen continent and believe it is the first such evidence of its kind. Similar microplastic pollution has been found previously in Antarctic surface waters sediment and in snow. The new discovery could mean the regions krill ¨C which feed on algae from sea ice could be affected.
The limit human activity has pushed this planet to is appalling. In saddening news, researchers have reportedly discovered small pieces of plastic in Antarctic sea ice. They found the microplastics in an ice core taken from the frozen continent and believe it is the first such evidence of its kind.
Reuters/Image For Representation
However,
similar microplastic pollution has been found previously in Antarctic surface
waters, sediment and in snow. According
to a Guardian report, the study found 14 different kinds of plastic, and on
average, about 12 pieces of plastic were found per litre of water.
The most commonly found polymer was polyethene (PE), which includes LDPE and HDPE fragments, used to make all manner of goods from bottles to window frames.
These account for more than a third (34 per cent) of all fragments found.
Reuters
The next, most commonly found polymers were polypropylene (PP) and polyamide (PA) which includes nylon, accounting for 15 and 14 per cent, respectively.
Anna Kelly from the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies at the University of Tasmania, was the lead author of the study, published in the Marine Pollution Bulletin.
Kelly said: ¡°The remoteness of the Southern Ocean has not been enough to protect it from plastic pollution, which is now pervasive across the world¡¯s oceans.¡±
The find comes after it was reported last year that tiny pieces of plastic were found in ice cores drilled in the Arctic.
This piece of research by US-based researchers on ice floes during an 18-day icebreaker expedition through the Northwest Passage unearthed evidence of plastic.
Associate Professor Delphine Lannuzel was part of the study which drilled the ice core more than ten years ago, two kilometers from the Antarctic coast.
Analysis revealed the ice was surrounded by algae, indicating it was being ingested by some lifeforms.
'Sea ice is habitat for key foraging species,' Dr Lannuzel said. 'Krill defines everything else in the food chain and it relies on sea ice algae to grow. Microplastics have previously been discovered in Antarctica¡¯s surface waters, sediment and in snow, but the new discovery could mean the region¡¯s krill ¨C which feed on algae from sea ice.
