TY - JOUR
T1 - Low prevalence of microplastic contamination in the bottom sediments and deep-sea waters of the Bransfield strait, Antarctica
AU - De-la-Torre, Gabriel Enrique
AU - Forero López, Ana D.
AU - Colombo, Carolina V.
AU - Rimondino, Guido N.
AU - Malanca, Fabio E.
AU - Barahona, Martha
AU - Santillán, Luis
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 Elsevier Ltd
PY - 2024/9
Y1 - 2024/9
N2 - Despite the remoteness of the Antarctic continent and Southern Ocean, microplastic (MPs) contamination has been evidenced in recent years. However, the deep-sea compartments of the Southern Ocean are yet to be investigated. In the present study, we conducted a baseline MP assessment of the deep-sea waters and bottom sediments of the Bransfield Strait, Antarctica. A low abundance of suspected MPs was found. The average MP abundances in bottom sediments and water samples were 0.09 MP/g (range of 0–0.2 MP/g) and 7.00 MP/L (range of 0–16 MP/L), respectively. The majority of the particles were fibers identified as cellulose, although polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyacrylonitrile (PAN) was also detected. These results suggest low MP contamination levels in the Southern Ocean's deepest environmental compartments. However, future studies must aim to investigate the smallest MP fractions and, if possible, nanoplastic (<1 μm) contamination in these remote compartments.
AB - Despite the remoteness of the Antarctic continent and Southern Ocean, microplastic (MPs) contamination has been evidenced in recent years. However, the deep-sea compartments of the Southern Ocean are yet to be investigated. In the present study, we conducted a baseline MP assessment of the deep-sea waters and bottom sediments of the Bransfield Strait, Antarctica. A low abundance of suspected MPs was found. The average MP abundances in bottom sediments and water samples were 0.09 MP/g (range of 0–0.2 MP/g) and 7.00 MP/L (range of 0–16 MP/L), respectively. The majority of the particles were fibers identified as cellulose, although polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyacrylonitrile (PAN) was also detected. These results suggest low MP contamination levels in the Southern Ocean's deepest environmental compartments. However, future studies must aim to investigate the smallest MP fractions and, if possible, nanoplastic (<1 μm) contamination in these remote compartments.
KW - Antarctic
KW - Plastic
KW - Sediments
KW - Subsurface
KW - Water column
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85203516018&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.143310
DO - 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.143310
M3 - Artículo
AN - SCOPUS:85203516018
SN - 0045-6535
VL - 364
JO - Chemosphere
JF - Chemosphere
M1 - 143310
ER -