Italian scientists from the Third University of Rome have assessed the extent of the impact of microplastic pollution on wild animals of the polar regions of the Earth. The study was published in the scientific journal Frontiers in Marine Science.
The Arctic and Antarctica are being increasingly affected by plastic particles falling on floating ice and land. There are not only large macroplastics (>5 cm), but also microplastics (0.1–5 mm) and nanoplastics (<0.1 microns), which can be transported over large distances from the source or penetrate into the organisms of creatures during seasonal migrations.
The researchers examined more than 1,100 samples of the stomach contents and excrement of polar birds. They found that 13 species of marine birds ingest microplastics. Among them were various species of penguins, petrels, loons, kaira and others.
The analysis showed that 90% of birds in the Arctic and 97% of birds in Antarctica feed on microplastics.
Scientists have identified 14 types of polymers, the predominant form of which turned out to be polyethylene, followed by polypropylene and polystyrene.
Scientists are concerned not only about the direct ingestion of microplastic particles. They have been found in krill, a food source for some penguins, which highlights a larger problem in the ecosystem and trophic networks, www.gazeta.ru reported.
Alex Shishlo for Rough&Polished
