First evidence of microplastics in Antarctic snow

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dc.contributor.authorAves AR
dc.contributor.authorGaw S
dc.contributor.authorRuffell H
dc.contributor.authorSchuddeboom A
dc.contributor.authorWotherspoon NE
dc.contributor.authorLaRue M
dc.contributor.authorMcDonald AJ
dc.contributor.authorRevell, Laura
dc.date.accessioned2022-07-19T22:15:19Z
dc.date.available2022-07-19T22:15:19Z
dc.date.issued2022en
dc.date.updated2022-06-07T22:06:25Z
dc.description.abstractIn 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.en
dc.identifier.citationAves AR, Revell LE, Gaw S, Ruffell H, Schuddeboom A, Wotherspoon NE, LaRue M, McDonald AJ First evidence of microplastics in Antarctic snow. The Cryosphere. 16(6). 2127-2145.en
dc.identifier.doihttp://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-2127-2022
dc.identifier.issn1994-0424
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10092/103967
dc.languageen
dc.language.isoenen
dc.publisherCopernicus GmbHen
dc.rightsAll rights reserved unless otherwise stateden
dc.rights.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10092/17651en
dc.subject.anzsrc0405 Oceanographyen
dc.subject.anzsrc0406 Physical Geography and Environmental Geoscienceen
dc.subject.anzsrcFields of Research::37 - Earth sciences::3708 - Oceanographyen
dc.subject.anzsrcFields of Research::41 - Environmental sciences::4105 - Pollution and contaminationen
dc.subject.anzsrcFields of Research::37 - Earth sciences::3709 - Physical geography and environmental geoscienceen
dc.titleFirst evidence of microplastics in Antarctic snowen
dc.typeJournal Articleen
uc.collegeFaculty of Science
uc.departmentSchool of Physical & Chemical Sciences
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