Antarctic Snow Harbor with Microplastics: New technology exposes hidden pollution

Scientists have discovered microplastics in ice near some deep area camps in Antarctica, showing how far -reaching plastic pollution has become. While not new, this is the first time these small pieces of plastic have been found in remote places.

The study was held at Field Camps, Union Glacier and Shanz Glacier (near Elsworth Mountains), where researchers were doing field work, and the South Poll where there is a research station in the South Poll where the US Antarctic program. This is the first time a new and advanced technology has been used to detect small and microplastics as 11 micrometers in ice in Antarctica (about the size of a red blood cell). Is study Published This week (6 February 2025) in the journal Science of the Total Environment,

The findings surprised the team as 73 to 3,099 particles per liter of snow were found in microplastics concentrations. Most of these particles (95%) were smaller than 50 micrometers (0.005 cm, size of human cells), suggesting that methods of low -sensitive detection, by suggesting that methods of low sensitive detection, the limit of microplastic pollution in the area May go.

Previous methods included hand -picing particles and fiber from samples for laboratory analysis. However, the new technology involves melting ice through filter paper and scanning it at a high resolution, using infrared spectroscopy, so any plastic above 11 micrometers can be identified.

A maritime ecologicalist and co-writer of the paper, a British Antarctic Survey (BAS), a co-writer. Emily Rownds says, “With these developing techniques, we are now able to analyze much smaller size microplastics than before. In fact, we really, we really, we. Antarctic is 100 times higher than the previous studies of ice samples. “

On three sites where researchers collected ice samples, they identified normal plastic types such as polyamide (used in textiles), polyethylene terefthelets (found in bottles and packaging), polyethylene and synthetic rubber. While polyamide gave more than half of the microplastics, the researchers found and discovered in all samples taken close to the field camps, the interesting thing is that the remote is not on the ‘Control’ site.

An ocean ecology of the British Antarctic Survey, Dr. Clara Manno says, “We think it means that plastic is local sources of pollution, at least when it comes to polyamide. Can come. It is used to mark safe routes in and around it.

“We need to do more research to fully understand the sources of microplastic pollution in Antarctica – most of it is local, and how much is carried over long distances so that we can find out that this plastic pollution is most How to reduce one of the more ancient.

The widespread implications of microplastics in this frozen forest have not yet been fully understood. Some researches suggest that microplastics can affect ice albedo (how much light reflects it) and how quickly it melts. It can also be transported to areas of ecological importance.

Microplastics have already been detected in several penguins, seals and fish species, and a recent BAS study has shown that microplastics can also reduce the amount of carbon carbon that is carried by creatures such as a small shrimp called Krill to Seephallor Is.

Dr. Kirsty Jones-Villiams, who did fieldwork in remote area camps and co-authors of paper, says, “Despite strict rules on materials entering Antarctica, our conclusions reveal microplastic contamination even in remote and highly controlled areas Are. Believe the broader nature of plastic pollution – assuming that there is really untouched anywhere on Earth.

“Our research highlights the need to take advantage of the existing Antarctic presence for continuous monitoring. As the world demands accountability through the United Nations Environmental Assembly Global Plastic Treaty, for regular evaluation policy and action in such ancient environment for regular evaluation policy and action. Can provide important evidence. “

This research reveals the reality that the most untouched corners of the planet are also not free from human effects. The presence of microplastic in Antarctic Snow highlights the importance of studying these remote environment to understand the global spread of plastic pollution over time.