Microplastics found in Antarctic Ice cores for the first time
Microplastics found in Antarctic Ice cores for the first time:-
Introduction:-
Micro plastics have been found in Antarctic sea ice for the first time, acoording to scientists.
In recent study published in the May edition of the journal Marine Pollution Bulletin, analysed an ice core collected in East Antarctic in 2009.Some tiny particles of plastic were identified. It is a major concern microplastics found in East Antarctic Ice cores
Here are the some key points:-
Introduction:-
Micro plastics have been found in Antarctic sea ice for the first time, acoording to scientists.
In recent study published in the May edition of the journal Marine Pollution Bulletin, analysed an ice core collected in East Antarctic in 2009.Some tiny particles of plastic were identified. It is a major concern microplastics found in East Antarctic Ice cores
Here are the some key points:-
- A group of researchers found 96 microplastics particles from 14 different types of polymer.
- Fir the first time it is to beleived plastics bhave been found in an Ice core in Antarctic.
- Local pollution from boat traffic, tourism & researchers is the likely source of plastics.
What kind of particles found in Ice cores:-
The researchers from IMAS and the Antarctic division (AAD) found 96 microplastics particle in Ice core from 14 different types of polymer, including polyethylene which is used in plastic bags.
Other fibers identified were polyester & nylon. According to researcher they said that the amount of microplastic found equated to almost 12 particles per litre.
Where exactly microplastics are found:-
The particles were spotted about approximately 2 kilometres from the Antarctic coast and have been in storage at a facility in Hobart, Tasmania awaiting analysis.
The cores were from ice that forms around the coast and thus, unlike pack ice, does not move.
Source of pollution:-
The particles found were still relatively large in size suggesting that they had come from local pollution.
According to Anna Kelly researchers of Tasmania the microplastics polymers in our ice core were large than those in the Arctic, which may indicate local pollution sources because the plastic has less time to break down into smaller fibres than if transported long distances on ocean currents.
Local source could include clothing and equipment used by tourists & researchers while the identified fibres of Varnish & plastics commonly used in the fishing industry suggests a maritime source.
Methods and materials used in research:-
Consequences of microplastics:-
The more microplastics you have in the sea ice, the easier the ice melts, so, it could have some big implications if they get out of the ice and home that is affecting the marine life in the Antarctic.
Results:-
Though the analysis of one fast ice, Core 96 microplastics particles were detected with a total concentration of 11.71 particles.
All polymers detected were < 0.35 mm in size (Fig. 4). MP particles
varied from 20 to 325 μm in diameter, with a mean diameter of 56.7 μm
and standard deviation of 43.37 μm. Overall, 60% of MP particles were
≤50 μm, with a majority (90%) of particles measuring ≤100 μm. The
four most frequent MPs (PE, PP, PA, and varnish) also maintained the
greatest variety in size distribution.
Resources:-
Marine Pollution Bulletin, and researchers of Tasmania University.(A.Kelly), (H.J. Auman).
The researchers from IMAS and the Antarctic division (AAD) found 96 microplastics particle in Ice core from 14 different types of polymer, including polyethylene which is used in plastic bags.
Other fibers identified were polyester & nylon. According to researcher they said that the amount of microplastic found equated to almost 12 particles per litre.
Where exactly microplastics are found:-
The particles were spotted about approximately 2 kilometres from the Antarctic coast and have been in storage at a facility in Hobart, Tasmania awaiting analysis.
The cores were from ice that forms around the coast and thus, unlike pack ice, does not move.
Source of pollution:-
The particles found were still relatively large in size suggesting that they had come from local pollution.
According to Anna Kelly researchers of Tasmania the microplastics polymers in our ice core were large than those in the Arctic, which may indicate local pollution sources because the plastic has less time to break down into smaller fibres than if transported long distances on ocean currents.
Local source could include clothing and equipment used by tourists & researchers while the identified fibres of Varnish & plastics commonly used in the fishing industry suggests a maritime source.
Methods and materials used in research:-
- Sea Ice coring & sample preparation.
- Filtrations
- Blank tests
- FITR spectroscopy
- Data analysis
Consequences of microplastics:-
The more microplastics you have in the sea ice, the easier the ice melts, so, it could have some big implications if they get out of the ice and home that is affecting the marine life in the Antarctic.
Video source: microplastics in Antarctic Ice cores
Though the analysis of one fast ice, Core 96 microplastics particles were detected with a total concentration of 11.71 particles.
All polymers detected were < 0.35 mm in size (Fig. 4). MP particles
varied from 20 to 325 μm in diameter, with a mean diameter of 56.7 μm
and standard deviation of 43.37 μm. Overall, 60% of MP particles were
≤50 μm, with a majority (90%) of particles measuring ≤100 μm. The
four most frequent MPs (PE, PP, PA, and varnish) also maintained the
greatest variety in size distribution.
Resources:-
Marine Pollution Bulletin, and researchers of Tasmania University.(A.Kelly), (H.J. Auman).
Comments
Post a Comment