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PENGUINS ARE EATING MICROPLASTIC IN THE ANTARCTICA

Microplastics are widespread in the marine environment but are still poorly understood in Polar regions, particularly in the Antarctica. Now, an international study reveals the presence of microplastics in three penguin species from Antarctica and warns about the state of our southern ecosystems.

Now, an international study reveals the presence of microplastics across Antarctica, in three penguin species, chinstrap, gentoo and adélie penguins, and warns about the state of our southern ecosystems.

Researchers analyzed scat samples from chinstrap, gentoo and adélie penguins at breeding colonies across the Antarctic Peninsula and Scotia Sea, over seven seasons. They found microplastics are widespread across years and colonies in Antarctic Peninsula. These particles are mostly polyethylene and polyester, but also, in cellulose fibres. Results shows a similar frequency of occurrence of particles across all colonies, suggesting there is no particular point source for microplastic pollution in the Scotia Sea,

Researchers highlight the need for further assessment of microplastics in this sensitive region of the planet, the potential effects on penguins and other organisms in the Antarctic marine food web.

Photo: Gentoo penguin at Byers Peninsula, one of the locations included in the study. Photo by Andrés Barbosa (MNCN-CSIC)

Reference: Fragão et al., 2021. Microplastics and other anthropogenic particles in Antarctica: Using penguins as biological samplers. Science of The Total Environment.