Meghan Hodges
The Arctic, despite being a supposedly pristine environment, is experiencing significant contamination from microplastics. These tiny plastic pieces, often under five millimetres long, are being transported to the Arctic by ocean currents, wind, and atmospheric transport, infiltrating terrestrial and aquatic systems, the cryosphere, and the atmosphere. The impact of this pollution is widespread, affecting local ecosystems and finding its way into the food chain. With the Arctic's remote locations bearing some of the greatest plastic loads on the planet, the need for urgent research and monitoring plans to address this issue is paramount.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sources of microplastic pollution | Local sources: fisheries, landfills, wastewater, and offshore industrial activity |
| Distant sources: plastic carried from lower latitudes by ocean currents, atmospheric transport, and rivers | |
| Impact on the environment | Plastic pollution accumulates in certain areas and affects local ecosystems |
| Recorded interactions include entanglements and ingestion of marine debris by mammals, seabirds, fish, and invertebrates | |
| Microplastics have been found in Arctic snow, sea ice, seawater, sediments collected on the ocean floor, and on beaches | |
| Microplastics are ingested by filter-feeding animals and passed up the food chain | |
| Actions to address the issue | Arctic Council projects are providing smaller communities with tools to better manage plastic pollution |
| The Council's Sustainable Development Working Group (SDWG) promotes safer burning, mandatory collection programs, and improved landfill infrastructure | |
| The Protection of the Arctic Marine Environment (PAME) Working Group created the first Arctic-wide study on the impacts of plastic pollution | |
| Levels of microplastic pollution | A study found an average of 1,760 microplastic particles per litre in snow samples from the Arctic |
| Another study found 12,000 microplastic particles per litre in samples of Arctic sea ice | |
| Ice cores from across the Arctic Ocean revealed microplastic concentrations two to three times higher than previously recorded | |
| The Barents Sea, which adjoins the Arctic Ocean, has been identified as a potential sixth ocean gyre that may coalesce high concentrations of plastic debris |
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What You'll Learn
- Microplastics are transported to the Arctic via ocean currents, wind, and atmospheric transport
- Local sources of microplastics in the Arctic include fisheries, landfills, and wastewater
- Microplastics have been found in Arctic snow, sea ice, seawater, and sediments on the ocean floor
- The effects of microplastics on human health are unknown, with calls for urgent research
- Communities in the Arctic are implementing better waste management practices to reduce plastic pollution
Microplastics are transported to the Arctic via ocean currents, wind, and atmospheric transport
Ocean currents play a significant role in carrying microplastics to the Arctic. The convergence of regional currents, such as the West Spitzbergen current, can lead to the accumulation of plastic debris, forming potential ocean gyres. The Fram Strait, a hub of ocean currents, has been found to contain over 12,000 microplastic particles per liter of sea ice. Additionally, the Barents Sea, which adjoins the Arctic Ocean, is influenced by multiple currents and has been identified as a potential hotspot for plastic accumulation.
Wind and atmospheric transport are also key factors in the spread of microplastics. Studies have found high concentrations of microplastics in snow and ice floes, indicating that wind carries microplastics over long distances, even to remote Arctic regions. The atmospheric transport of microplastics has raised concerns about its impact on human health, as particles have been detected in cancerous human lung tissue.
The Arctic is particularly vulnerable to the accumulation of microplastics due to its remote location and the convergence of ocean currents. Local sources of pollution, such as fisheries, landfills, wastewater, and industrial activity, also contribute to the issue. The impact of microplastics on the Arctic ecosystem is significant, affecting wildlife and potentially entering the food chain.
Addressing the issue of microplastic pollution in the Arctic requires a comprehensive monitoring plan and technical guidelines. Initiatives such as the Arctic Council's Protection of the Arctic Marine Environment (PAME) Working Group aim to study the impacts of plastic pollution and develop policies to stop pollution at its source.
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Local sources of microplastics in the Arctic include fisheries, landfills, and wastewater
The Arctic is facing a significant threat from plastic pollution, including microplastics, which have been found in snow, sea ice, seawater, sediments on the ocean floor, and beaches. This pollution is having a detrimental impact on the region's ecosystems, with Arctic species such as cod, fulmars, and belugas found to have elevated volumes of plastic in their stomachs. Local sources of microplastics in the Arctic include fisheries, landfills, and wastewater.
Fisheries and aquaculture are major contributors to the presence of microplastics in the Arctic. The intense fishing activities and ship traffic in the region result in the loss of plastic debris at sea, which over time breaks down into microplastics. Abandoned fishing gear made of plastic can also trap marine life and act as a raft for invasive species. The development of fisheries in the Arctic further exacerbates the issue, as organisms may inadvertently ingest microplastics along with their prey.
Landfills are another local source of microplastics in the Arctic. Improper waste management practices can lead to the release of microplastics into the environment. To address this, the Arctic Council's Sustainable Development Working Group (SDWG) has implemented improved landfill infrastructure and mandatory collection programs in Arctic communities. These initiatives aim to reduce the negative impact of landfills on the environment and the health of residents.
Wastewater is a significant local source of microplastics in the Arctic. The breakdown of synthetic fabrics during washing can release microplastics into sewage systems, which then enter marine ecosystems. Summer sea ice melt contributes to the issue by introducing additional microplastics into the water. The Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP) has recognized the need for improved wastewater treatment to address this issue.
It is important to note that while local sources play a role in microplastic pollution in the Arctic, distant sources also contribute significantly. Ocean currents, atmospheric transport, and rivers carry plastic pollution from lower latitudes to the Arctic, emphasizing the global nature of the problem. Addressing microplastic pollution in the Arctic requires a combination of local, regional, and international efforts.
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Microplastics have been found in Arctic snow, sea ice, seawater, and sediments on the ocean floor
Microplastics have been found in every part of the Arctic ecosystem, from snow to the ocean floor. The presence of microplastics in the Arctic is a growing environmental concern, with the potential to impact human health and local ecosystems.
A 2019 study found abundant levels of microplastics in snow from the Arctic to the Alps, with an average of 1,760 microplastic particles per litre in samples from ice floes between Greenland and Svalbard. The study concluded that wind is a key factor in the contamination of the Arctic, as well as other regions, with microplastics carried from populated areas by ocean currents and deposited onto ice floes and surface waters via snow.
Microplastics have also been observed in sea ice, seawater, and deep-sea sediments in the Arctic. A study conducted in 2016 onboard the Swedish icebreaker Oden found microplastics in sea ice and seawater samples from the Arctic Ocean. Another study found that microplastic concentrations in deep-sea sediments in the Fram Strait were significantly higher than in other Arctic regions, suggesting that the seafloor may be the final destination for this type of pollution.
The sources of microplastics in the Arctic are varied and include local sources such as fisheries, landfills, wastewater, and industrial activity, as well as distant regions, with plastic transported to the Arctic by ocean currents, atmospheric transport, and rivers. The impact of microplastics on the Arctic environment is not yet fully understood, but it is known that they accumulate in the environment and are ingested by wildlife, including seabirds and fish.
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The effects of microplastics on human health are unknown, with calls for urgent research
Plastic pollution is now pervasive in the Arctic, even in areas with no apparent human activity, such as the deep seafloor. The plastic debris and microplastics that have infiltrated terrestrial and aquatic systems, the cryosphere, and the atmosphere, are ubiquitous in the Arctic. While some of the plastic pollution is from local sources such as fisheries, landfills, wastewater, and offshore industrial activity, distant regions are a substantial source, as plastic is carried from lower latitudes to the Arctic by ocean currents, atmospheric transport, and rivers.
Microplastics are environmental pollutants that prevail in the oceans, remote islands, and polar regions. They are usually produced when large synthetic polymer products, such as plastic packaging, are not properly disposed of or treated. Once formed, microplastics are exposed to the environment, where they can decompose. They have been found in human blood, lungs, and even in the placentas of unborn babies. However, the effects of microplastics on human health are unknown, with calls for urgent research.
The European Commission's chief scientific advisers said in a report: "The evidence [on the environmental and health risks of microplastics] provides grounds for genuine concern and for precaution to be exercised." Scientists have expressed concern that supposedly pristine ecosystems such as the Arctic were contaminated. Steve Allen, of the EcoLab research institute in France, said: "With [microplastics] pouring into our environment, it is highly likely we will only find out the safe levels after we have exceeded them."
Dr Melanie Bergmann of the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research in Germany, who led a study that found abundant levels of microplastic pollution in snow from the Arctic to the Alps, said: "We really need research on the human health aspect. There are so many studies being published now on microplastics but nothing on human health, and that is really strange in my opinion." Bergmann added that microplastics should be included in air pollutant monitoring schemes.
There is evidence that microplastics can cause damage to human cells, including allergic reactions and cell death. They can also interfere with the production, release, transport, metabolism, and elimination of hormones, which can cause endocrine disruption and lead to various endocrine disorders, including metabolic disorders, developmental disorders, and even reproductive disorders. However, there have been no epidemiologic studies documenting, in a large group of people, a connection between exposure to microplastics and impacts on health. The effects of microplastics on human health are complex and variable, depending on the type, size, shape, and concentration of microplastics, as well as other factors. Therefore, further research is needed to understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms of microplastic toxicity and related pathologies.
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Communities in the Arctic are implementing better waste management practices to reduce plastic pollution
Plastic pollution, including microplastics, is a significant issue in the Arctic, with plastic debris found in terrestrial and aquatic systems, the cryosphere, and the atmosphere. This pollution comes from a variety of sources, including local fisheries, landfills, wastewater, and offshore industrial activity, as well as distant regions, carried by ocean currents, atmospheric transport, and rivers.
The impact of plastic pollution in the Arctic is widespread, with entanglement and ingestion of plastic debris recorded for mammals, seabirds, fish, and invertebrates. Microplastics, in particular, have been found in Arctic snow, sea ice, seawater, and on beaches, indicating that they are contaminating the entire marine food chain. This has raised concerns for the health and well-being of Arctic residents who depend on wildlife for food security.
Recognizing the urgency of the situation, communities in the Arctic are taking action to implement better waste management practices to reduce plastic pollution. The Arctic Council, through its Sustainable Development Working Group (SDWG), is providing smaller communities with new tools and best practices to better manage plastic pollution and protect the health of residents and the environment. This includes safer burning techniques to minimize inhalation, mandatory collection programs, and improved landfill infrastructure.
The programs are designed to be flexible and adapted to the unique needs of each community, focusing on specific practices, behaviors, and infrastructure improvements that will have the most significant impact on health and the environment. For example, the Regional Action Plan on marine litter is an international collaboration that aims to reduce both land- and sea-based marine litter, targeting key sources such as fisheries and aquaculture, ships and offshore structures, onshore waste, and wastewater management.
Additionally, community-driven initiatives and collaborative actions are being implemented to tackle the complex issues of waste management in remote Arctic regions. This includes clean-up efforts, such as the one organized by the Aleut Community of St. Paul Island in 2019, which removed nearly 20,000 pounds of debris, mostly abandoned fishing gear, from the islands' beaches. By combining local knowledge and efforts with international cooperation, these communities are making strides towards reducing plastic pollution and protecting the fragile Arctic environment.
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Frequently asked questions
Microplastics are tiny plastic pieces under 5 millimetres long. They can be released directly into the ocean by the gradual breakdown of larger pieces of plastic, or they can enter the sea from health and beauty products, washing synthetic textiles, or the abrasion of car tyres.
Microplastics are carried to the Arctic by ocean currents, winds, and rivers. They can also be the result of local pollution in the Arctic, such as from fisheries, landfills, wastewater, and offshore industrial activity.
Microplastics have been found in Arctic snow, sea ice, seawater, sediments collected on the ocean floor, and on beaches. They have also been found in Arctic wildlife, including ringed seals, and are likely to be passed up the food chain. The full effects of microplastic pollution in the Arctic are not yet known.
The Arctic Council's Protection of the Arctic Marine Environment (PAME) Working Group has created the first Arctic-wide study on the impacts of plastic pollution, which will inform policy to stop pollution at its source. The Council is also providing smaller communities with tools to better manage plastic pollution, such as safer burning practices, mandatory collection programs, and improved landfill infrastructure.
Individuals can help reduce microplastic pollution in the Arctic by reducing their use of single-use plastics, properly disposing of plastic waste, and supporting organizations working to address plastic pollution and protect the Arctic environment.
