High Levels of Microplastics in the Arctic Sea Ice Alga Melosira arctica, a Vector to Ice-Associated and Benthic Food Webs

• DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c08010
• Publication Date: 2023-04-21T10:01:22Z
• Authors: Melanie Bergmann; Steve Allen; Thomas Krumpen; Deonie Allen
• Keywords: Sink (geography)

Plastic pollution has become ubiquitous with very high quantities detected even in ecosystems as remote Arctic sea ice and deep-sea sediments. Ice algae growing underneath are released upon melting can form fast-sinking aggregates. In this pilot study, we sampled analyzed the algaeMelosira arcticaand ambient water from three locations Fram Strait to assess their microplastic content potential a temporary sink pathway deep seafloor. Analysis by μ-Raman fluorescence microscopy microplastics (≥2.2 μm) all samples at concentrations ranging 1.3 5.7 × 104 (MP) m–3 1.4 4.5 103 MP water, indicating magnitude higher algae. On average, 94% of total particles were identified 10 μm or smaller size comprised 16 polymer types without clear dominance. The found our study suggest thatM. arctica could trap water. appear be act key vector food webs near surface on seafloor, which its aggregates facilitate an important mechanism transport.