City research shows rise in microplastics

PLYMOUTH MARINE LABORATORY SCIENTISTS SHOW THREAT TO THE ENVIRONMENT

- ANDY PHILLIPS

CONCENTRATIONS of microplastics are increasing even in remote locations including the Arctic, putting a productive and diverse environment at risk, a new study involving scientists from Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML) has suggested.

Scientists from PML and the University of Exeter undertook the study to explore large volumes of sub-surface water collected from areas through the Barents Sea, which adjoins the Arctic Ocean.

The Barents Sea is one of the most productive oceanic areas in the world and home to an enormous diversity of organisms.

The study aimed to quantify, characterise and determine distribution of microplastics through the region, with a focus on potential impacts to zooplankton.

A range of polymers were identified including polyester (3.8%), copolymer blends (2.7%), elastomers (7.1%) and acrylics (10.6%), with the vast majority observed from anthropogenically modified cellulose, such as rayon.

Scientists concluded that given that the Barents Sea is an area of high primary productivity and the size of microplastics overlaps with optimal prey size of zooplankton, it is considered likely that zooplankton within this region will be consuming microplastics, which in turn will be consumed into polar food webs.