First evidence of microplastics in Antarctic snow
First evidence of microplastics in Antarctic snow
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DOI：
10.5194/tc-16-2127-2022
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发表时间：
2022-06-07
期刊：
影响因子：
5.2
通讯作者：
McDonald, Adrian J.
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Aves, Alex R.;Revell, Laura E.;McDonald, Adrian J.
近年来，在一系列偏远环境中发现了空气中的微塑料。然而，整个南半球，特别是南极洲的数据，迄今基本上没有。我们从南极洲罗斯岛地区的19个地点收集了雪样本。分离出可疑的微塑料颗粒，并使用显微傅里叶变换红外光谱（μ FTIR）确认其组成。我们在所有南极雪样中发现了平均浓度为29个颗粒L-1的微塑料，其中纤维是最常见的形态类型，聚对苯二甲酸乙二醇酯（PET）是最常见的聚合物。为了调查来源，从采样时起运行向后的气团轨迹。这表明，假设停留时间为6.5天，可能的远距离运输可达6000公里。当地来源也被确定为环境的潜在投入，因为所确定的聚合物与附近研究站的服装和设备中使用的聚合物一致。这项研究增加了关于微塑料作为一种普遍存在的空气污染物的文献，并确定了它们在南极洲的存在。
In recent years, airborne microplastics have been identified in a range of remote environments. However, data throughout the Southern Hemisphere, in particular Antarctica, are largely absent to date. We collected snow samples from 19 sites across the Ross Island region of Antarctica. Suspected microplastic particles were isolated and their composition confirmed using micro-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (mu FTIR). We identified microplastics in all Antarctic snow samples at an average concentration of 29 particles L-1, with fibres the most common morphotype and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) the most common polymer. To investigate sources, backward air mass trajectories were run from the time of sampling. These indicate potential long-range transportation of up to 6000 km, assuming a residence time of 6.5 d. Local sources were also identified as potential inputs into the environment as the polymers identified were consistent with those used in clothing and equipment from nearby research stations. This study adds to the growing body of literature regarding microplastics as a ubiquitous airborne pollutant and establishes their presence in Antarctica.