Assessment of plastic debris and biofouling in a specially protected area of the Antarctic Peninsula region

Johnston, Laura Wilkie; Manno, Clara ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3337-6173; Salinas, Carla Ximena. 2024 Assessment of plastic debris and biofouling in a specially protected area of the Antarctic Peninsula region. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 207, 116844. 9, pp. 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116844

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Abstract/Summary

The aim of this paper is to characterize the plastic and to study a potential relationship between plastic debris characteristics and the presence of fouling biota in an Antarctic Specially Protected Area Robert Island, on the Antarctic peninsula region. A combination of lab-based sorting, advanced spectral analysis and general linear modelling was used to assess the abundance and type of plastic debris washed up on the shore. Observations recorded 730 debris items, with 85 % being plastic. Polystyrene (PS) and Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) were the dominant plastics (61 %). Biofouling was observed on 25 % of plastic debris, with debris complexity and degradation significantly increasing the likelihood of fouling occurring. There was no correlation found between biofouling type and plastic polymer type. Findings raise concerns that even with the highest level of environmental protection, an external marine-based source of pollution can intrude the coastal habitat, with uncertain consequences to local flora and fauna.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116844
ISSN:	0025-326X
Additional Keywords:	Plastic; Antarctic Specially Protected Area; Biofouling; Pollution; Antarctic Peninsula region
Date made live:	22 Aug 2024 10:06 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/537899

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116844

ISSN:

0025-326X

Additional Keywords:

Plastic; Antarctic Specially Protected Area; Biofouling; Pollution; Antarctic Peninsula region

Date made live:

22 Aug 2024 10:06 +0 (UTC)

URI:

https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/537899