A Polar outlook: Potential interactions of micro-and nano-plastic with other anthropogenic stressors

Rowlands, Emily; Galloway, Tamara; Manno, Clara ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3337-6173. 2021 A Polar outlook: Potential interactions of micro-and nano-plastic with other anthropogenic stressors. Science of the Total Environment, 754, 142379. 12, pp. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142379

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Abstract/Summary

Polar marine ecosystems may have higher sensitivity than other ecosystems to plastic pollution due to recurrent physical and biological features; presence of ice and high UV radiation, slow growth rates and weak genetic differentiation of resident biota, accumulation of persistent organic pollutants and heavy metals, and fast rates of warming and global ocean acidification. Here, we discuss potential sources of and exposure to micro- and nano-plastic in polar marine ecosystems and potential mixture effects of micro- and nano-plastic coupled with chemical and climate related stressors. We address the anthropogenic contaminants likely to be ‘high risk’ for interactions in Arctic and Antarctic waters for reasons such as accumulation under sea-ice, a known sink for plastic particulates. Consequently, we address the potential for localised plastic-chemical interactions and possible seasonal fluctuations in interactions associated with freeze-thaw events. The risks for keystone polar species are also considered, incorporating the behavioural and physiological traits of biota and addressing potential ‘hotspot’ areas. Finally, we discuss a possible direction for future research.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142379
ISSN:	0048-9697
Additional Keywords:	plastic; warming; acidification; contaminants; Antarctica, Arctic; ecotoxicology
Date made live:	05 Oct 2020 12:57 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/528503

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142379

ISSN:

0048-9697

Additional Keywords:

plastic; warming; acidification; contaminants; Antarctica, Arctic; ecotoxicology

Date made live:

05 Oct 2020 12:57 +0 (UTC)

URI:

https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/528503