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Updated: Jun 18, 2025
Sampling, Sorting, and Characterizing Microplastics in Aquatic Environments with High Suspended Sediment Loads and Large Floating Debris
Published on: July 28, 2018
Antarctic wastewater: A local source of microplastic pollution
Nathalie Bernard1, Lucas A M Ruberto2, François Oberhaensli3
1Instituto de Nanobiotecnología (NANOBIOTEC, UBA-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina; Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires (FFyB UBA), Buenos Aires, Argentina; Radioecology laboratory, Marine Environment Laboratories, International Atomic Energy Agency, Monaco.
Abstract:
Microplastic (MP) particles can be found all around the planet, even in Antarctica where they can be locally originated or transported by marine currents and winds. In this communication, we identify and report for the first time the contribution of a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) as a local source of MP particles in the region. The analysis of the entire sample using micro-Raman spectroscopy revealed an MP concentration that ranged from 64 to 159 particles per liter of wastewater. >90 % of the identified particles were smaller than 50 μm. Among those analyzed, microplastics were identified as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, and polystyrene. These findings demonstrate the need for urgent policies and technologies to mitigate this MP contamination source.
