Pervasive distribution of polyester fibres in the Arctic Ocean is driven by Atlantic inputs

Peter S. Ross (), Stephen Chastain, Ekaterina Vassilenko, Anahita Etemadifar, Sarah Zimmermann, Sarah-Ann Quesnel, Jane Eert, Eric Solomon, Shreyas Patankar, Anna M. Posacka and Bill Williams
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Peter S. Ross: Ocean Wise Conservation Association
Stephen Chastain: Ocean Wise Conservation Association
Ekaterina Vassilenko: Ocean Wise Conservation Association
Anahita Etemadifar: Ocean Wise Conservation Association
Sarah Zimmermann: Institute of Ocean Sciences
Sarah-Ann Quesnel: Institute of Ocean Sciences
Jane Eert: Institute of Ocean Sciences
Eric Solomon: Ocean Wise Conservation Association
Shreyas Patankar: Ocean Wise Conservation Association
Anna M. Posacka: Ocean Wise Conservation Association
Bill Williams: Institute of Ocean Sciences

Nature Communications, 2021, vol. 12, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: Abstract Microplastics are increasingly recognized as ubiquitous global contaminants, but questions linger regarding their source, transport and fate. We document the widespread distribution of microplastics in near-surface seawater from 71 stations across the European and North American Arctic - including the North Pole. We also characterize samples to a depth of 1,015 m in the Beaufort Sea. Particle abundance correlated with longitude, with almost three times more particles in the eastern Arctic compared to the west. Polyester comprised 73% of total synthetic fibres, with an east-to-west shift in infra-red signatures pointing to a potential weathering of fibres away from source. Here we suggest that relatively fresh polyester fibres are delivered to the eastern Arctic Ocean, via Atlantic Ocean inputs and/or atmospheric transport from the South. This raises further questions about the global reach of textile fibres in domestic wastewater, with our findings pointing to their widespread distribution in this remote region of the world.

Date: 2021
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-20347-1

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