The Plastic Problem

A quick  post for you this week. So far, I have examined the implications of climate change in Antarctica. However greenhouse gases are not the only anthropogenic pollutants affecting the continent. Antarctica is remote, but a recent UCL seminar about plastics in our oceans made me wonder: is Antarctica really immune to plastic pollutants?

Microplastics

Microplastics are plastic pieces which are less than 5mm long and come from many sources: for example, from larger plastic debris, clothing and beauty products. Until recently, scientists believed that The Southern Ocean was relatively free of microplastics, as it is far from pollution sources and the Antarctic Circumpolar Current acts as a barrier. However new research suggests otherwise. 

A study recently reported that microplastic levels in The Southern Ocean were five times higher than you would expect to find from water around ships and research stations. This suggests that microplastics from outside the region are reaching Antarctic waters. 

The National Antarctic Programmes has recorded findings of macroplastics, defined as plastic pieces larger than 5mm (yellow crosses) and microplastics (green crosses) around Antarctica (Image: Waller et al., 2017)

The implications of microplastics on Antarctic ecosystems are unknown. In the Northern hemisphere, evidence suggests that microplastics are entering pelagic ecosystems at the base of the food chain and have been found in seals, seabirds and fish. It is likely that Antarctic organisms could be affected in similar ways but further research is key to understand the extent of the problem. 


Next week I will be returning to climate change and examining projections for climate induced changes to Antarctica as whole.