Unseen Invaders: The Silent Threat of Microplastics in the Antarctic Marine Ecosystem

This informal CPD article, ‘Unseen Invaders: The Silent Threat of Microplastics in the Antarctic Marine Ecosystem’, was provided by  Evolve Youth Academy, who offer a range of education and activity provision for learners of all ages.

The Antarctic marine system, a bastion of biodiversity and a critical component of the Earth's climate faces an insidious threat: microplastic pollution. These particles, less than 5mm in size, are a byproduct of our global dependency on plastic and have infiltrated even Earth's most remote and pristine environments. The impacts of microplastics on the Antarctic are multifaceted, affecting marine life, local ecosystems, and global climate patterns.

The Microplastic Menace

Microplastics are not just a visible pollution problem; their presence is often insidious and goes unnoticed by the naked eye. These particles can originate from larger plastic debris that degrades over time or from consumer products like cosmetics. Once in the environment, they are challenging to eradicate, persisting in the water column and sediments, and can be ingested by marine organisms, causing harm to individual species and the broader food web (Barnes et al., 2009). Estimates suggest that 15 to 51 trillion microplastic particles are dispersed throughout the oceans, weighing between 93,000 and 236,000 metric tons. However, the true extent of the damage to marine ecosystems remains under-researched, underscoring the need for a deeper understanding of these effects (Schymanski et al., 2018).

The Antarctic Context: A Closer Look at Microplastic Pollution

The Antarctic, often perceived as one of the last untouched wildernesses on Earth, faces an environmental crisis that belies its pristine appearance. The discovery of microplastic concentrations, which are significantly higher than previously thought, has sent shockwaves through the scientific community. A study by Schymanski et al. (2018) revealed that some regions of the Antarctic waters have microplastic levels that are up to 100,000 times greater than earlier estimates. This staggering figure has prompted a reevaluation of the impact of human activities on this remote ecosystem and has raised the alarm about the potential consequences for the region's marine life and broader environmental health.

Research and Methodologies: The Quest to Quantify Microplastics

Tracking and quantifying microplastics in the Antarctic is daunting due to the region's vastness and the particles' minuscule size. Researchers have used sophisticated techniques such as electron microscopy and Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) to identify and measure these pollutants (Blair et al., 2019). While EDS is lauded for its precision, it has limitations, particularly in detecting particles smaller than 63 microns. This limitation suggests that a significant portion of microplastics could pass unnoticed, slipping through the cracks of our observational methods (Pico et al., 2019). The need for more sensitive detection technologies is clear if we are to gain a complete understanding of the extent of microplastic contamination.

Ecological Implications: The Invisible Threat to Marine Life

The ecological implications of microplastic pollution in the Antarctic are far-reaching. Microplastics are not selective in their victims; they impact the entire spectrum of marine life, from the microscopic plankton to the majestic whales that inhabit these icy waters (Setälä et al., 2014). The ingestion of microplastics can lead to physical harm, such as internal blockages, and can act as vectors for toxic substances that accumulate in the tissues of marine organisms. These toxins can then biomagnify the food chain, potentially disrupting individual species and the entire ecosystem. The delicate balance of the Antarctic marine system, which has evolved over millennia, is at risk of being upended by these tiny but pervasive pollutants.

Climatic Consequences: Beyond the Ecosystem

The influence of microplastics extends beyond the immediate ecological damage. These particles can potentially disrupt the Antarctic's role in global climate regulation. The region plays a crucial part in carbon sequestration; however, introducing microplastics could interfere with this process. Furthermore, microplastics can serve as vehicles for bacteria and chemical pollutants, complicating the already complex interactions between the ocean and the atmosphere (Guo and Wang, 2019). As we unravel the multifaceted effects of microplastics, it becomes increasingly apparent that they could be silently altering the climatic patterns essential to life on Earth.

The Way Forward: Charting a Course for Action

The research has laid the groundwork for understanding the scale of microplastic pollution in the Antarctic, but it also underscores the need for a more comprehensive approach. There is a pressing demand for data that can inform us about microplastics' sources, concentrations, and long-term effects. This information is vital for crafting effective strategies to combat the spread of microplastics and to mitigate their impact on the Antarctic marine system and the global environment. Enhanced detection methods, international collaboration, and policy interventions are all critical components of the path forward. Only through concerted efforts can we hope to preserve the Antarctic's ecological integrity and its role in the Earth's climate system.

The invasion of microplastics into the Antarctic marine ecosystem is a silent crisis with potentially far-reaching consequences. As researchers strive to uncover the full extent of this pollution, it becomes increasingly clear that immediate action is required to address the sources and mitigate the impacts of these unseen invaders.

We hope this article was helpful. For more information from Evolve Youth Academy, please visit their CPD Member Directory page. Alternatively, you can go to the CPD Industry Hubs for more articles, courses and events relevant to your Continuing Professional Development requirements.

References

Barnes, D. K. A., Galgani, F., Thompson, R. C., & Barlaz, M. (2009). Accumulation and fragmentation of plastic debris in global environments. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 364(1526), 1985-1998.

Khadka, N.S. (2022) Microplastics found in fresh Antarctic snow. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-61739159.

Schymanski, D., Goldbeck, C., Humpf, H.-U., & Fürst, P. (2018). Analysis of microplastics in water by micro-Raman spectroscopy: Release of plastic particles from different packaging into mineral water. Water Research, 129, 154-162.

Siegfried, M., Koelmans, A. A., Besseling, E., & Kroeze, C. (2017). Export of microplastics from land to sea. A modelling approach. Water Research, 127, 249-257.

Pico, Y., Alfarhan, A., & Barcelo, D. (2019). Analysis of microplastics in water by micro-Raman spectroscopy: Challenges and future perspectives. Science of The Total Environment, 651, 1532-1543.

Guo, X., & Wang, J. (2019). The chemical behaviors of microplastics in marine environment: A review. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 142, 1-14.

Setälä, O., Fleming-Lehtinen, V., & Lehtiniemi, M. (2014). Ingestion and transfer of microplastics in the planktonic food web. Environmental Pollution, 185, 77-83.

Blair, R. M., Waldron, S., Phoenix, V., & Gauchotte-Lindsay, C. (2019). Microscopic anthropogenic particles in sediment cores from the largest freshwater lake in the UK. Science of The Total Environment, 666, 74-85.

Teuten, E. L., Rowland, S. J., Galloway, T. S., & Thompson, R. C. (2007). Potential for plastics to transport hydrophobic contaminants. Environmental Science & Technology, 41(22), 7759-7764.