AI Article Synopsis
- Microplastics in Arctic sea ice are more concentrated than in surface seawater, but their effects on sea ice properties are not well understood.
- Microcosm experiments showed that while microplastics didn't affect sea ice growth, they did increase salinity and alter albedo at the ice surface.
- Field studies in the Baltic Sea found lower concentrations of microplastics than those that affected sea ice in experiments, but future increases could impact sea ice albedo.
Article Abstract
Microplastics (plastic particles <5 mm) are an emerging concern in Arctic sea ice with measured concentrations orders of magnitude higher than in surface seawater. However, incorporation of microplastics into sea ice, and their impact on sea ice properties, is unknown. We added microplastic particles in a microcosm experiment to determine microplastic distributions and effects on sea ice properties. Microplastic additions did not affect sea ice growth, but high concentrations of microplastics at the ice surface resulted in high ice salinity and changes in sea ice albedo. Field studies in the Gulf of Bothnia (Baltic Sea) showed sea ice concentration of microplastics from 8 to 41 particles per liter of melted ice, wich were much lower than those found to impact sea ice properties in the microcosm experiments. However, should microplastic concentrations increase, microplastic incorporation in sea ice may impact sea ice albedo.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.06.029 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!