Photo by Chesapeake Bay Program on Flickr.com
It turned out that microplastics, which threaten wildlife and human health, are also seen in Antarctic waters, which are thought to be uncontaminated.
In recent years, the use of plastic in the world has increased considerably. However, this situation threatens life as well as harms nature.
Microplastics are referred to as plastic particles smaller than 5 mm, and marine life in particular can be severely affected by these particles.
Recent research has shown that microplastics from European rivers are making their way into the Arctic seas.
Traces of microplastic in Antarctica
Antarctica is generally considered uncontaminated due to the absence of human presence and its distance from inhabited areas.
Researchers participating in an Antarctic research expedition; detected microplastics in the continent’s water, air, and sediment. This shows that the continent is no longer “pristine”.
The team believes some of these microplastics originate from nearby research ships or from the fishing gear used by fleets in the neighboring Scotia Sea.
At the same time, the researchers say that most microplastics got here by the wind.
These tiny plastic particles, from clothing fibers, car tires, cosmetics, and more, are starting to appear all over the planet, from the summit of Mount Everest to the deepest oceans.
