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RESOURCE

Description of the Resource

Title
Plastics in sea surface waters around the Antarctic Peninsula
Title (original)
Plastics in sea surface waters around the Antarctic Peninsula
Description
This study aimed to quantify and characterize plastic debris in oceanic surface waters of the Antarctic Peninsula. Sampling was done through surface trawls, and mean debris concentration was estimated.
Authors
Ana L. d. F. Lacerda, Lucas dos S. Rodrigues, Erik van Sebille, Fábio L. Rodrigues, Lourenço Ribeiro, Eduardo R. Secchi, Felipe Kessler & Maíra C. Proietti
Publication year
2019
Resource type
Scientific publication
Language
English
Areas of knowledge
Microplastics
Mapping of marine litter
Toxicity and impact of meso and macro marine litter
Number of links to resource
1
Other relevant information
No statistical difference was found between the amount of mesoplastics (46%) and microplastics (54%). They found hard and flexible fragments, spheres and lines, in nine colors, composed mostly of polyurethane, polyamide, and polyethylene. An oceanographic dispersal model showed that, for at least seven years, sampled plastics likely did not originate from latitudes lower than 58°S. Analysis of epiplastic community diversity revealed bacteria, microalgae, and invertebrate groups adhered to debris. Paint fragments were present at all sampling stations and were approximately 30 times more abundant than plastics. Although paint particles were not included in plastic concentration estimates,they highlight that they could have similar impacts as marine plastics. They call for urgent action to avoid and mitigate plastic and paint fragment inputs to the Southern Ocean.

Links to resource (1)

Related Project (1)