Plastic Pollution In Arctic Ocean: A Growing Concern

The Arctic is one of the most plastic-polluted places on Earth, with plastic debris and microplastics infiltrating terrestrial and aquatic systems, the cryosphere, and the atmosphere. The Arctic Ocean surface waters contain the most plastics of any ocean basin, with an estimated 300 billion plastic pieces in the surface waters alone. The amount of plastic in the Arctic is surprising given its remoteness and the lack of human activity in the region. The plastic in the Arctic comes from both local and faraway sources, with plastic transported to the region by ocean currents, atmospheric transport, and rivers. The impact of plastic pollution in the Arctic is significant, with plastic accumulating in certain areas and affecting local ecosystems, including the marine food chain.

Plastic pollution in the Arctic is caused by both local and faraway sources

The Arctic, one of the most pristine places on Earth, is now facing the threat of plastic pollution. The region is warming faster than the rest of the Earth, and a shrinking ice cap is exposing the area to unprecedented human activity. Plastic pollution in the Arctic is caused by both local and faraway sources, and it is infiltrating the region's ecosystems at every level, from the atmosphere to the deep ocean floor.

Local sources of plastic pollution in the Arctic include fisheries, landfills, wastewater, and offshore industrial activity. As the Arctic ice melts, human activity in the region is increasing. This includes hydrocarbon exploration, tourist cruises, and shipping. The number of ships calling at Svalbard increased tenfold between 2000 and 2014, and the number of fishing vessels in the area has doubled. This increase in ship traffic contributes to the local sources of plastic pollution, whether through intentional or accidental dumping. In addition, Arctic communities, such as those in Greenland and Russia, often lack proper waste management systems, with open landfills on beaches and inadequate sewage treatment, leading to plastic pollution in the ocean.

Faraway sources of plastic pollution in the Arctic are also significant. Plastic is carried to the region by ocean currents, atmospheric transport, and rivers. The thermohaline circulation, a global conveyor belt that redistributes heat across the oceans, is connecting remote sources of marine litter with the Arctic. Studies have found that plastic debris in the Greenland and Barents seas originates from distant locations such as the coasts of northwest Europe, the UK, and the east coast of the United States. This plastic is transported by wind-induced subtropical gyres and the density-driven movement of surface water, which pulls buoyant plastic from highly populated latitudes to the Arctic.

The impact of plastic pollution in the Arctic is severe and widespread. Plastic has been found in the stomachs of northern fulmar seabirds in Iceland and Canada, as well as in other seabird species, the Greenland shark, and bears. It has infiltrated the Arctic food web, affecting endemic species and interacting with one of the Earth's wildest ecosystems. The consequences of this pollution are not yet fully understood, but it is clear that immediate action is needed to mitigate further ecosystem degradation.

Plastic is carried to the Arctic by ocean currents, wind and rivers

The Arctic is now pervasively polluted with plastic, even in areas with no apparent human activity, such as the deep seafloor. Plastic is carried to the Arctic from lower latitudes by ocean currents, wind, and rivers. Once there, it accumulates in certain areas, affecting local ecosystems.

Ocean currents play a significant role in transporting plastic to the Arctic. Buoyant plastic can float with ocean surface currents to higher latitudes, with most plastic transported into the Arctic from the Atlantic. The North Atlantic Current, for example, carries plastic pollution from the south, while the Transpolar Drift brings it from the north. The Transpolar Drift is responsible for higher plastic quantities in the Eurasian basin, as evidenced by less weathered plastic microfibers and higher microfibre concentrations in the western Arctic. The thermohaline circulation, a global conveyor belt, connects remote sources of marine litter with the Arctic. In addition, the Greenland and Barents seas receive plastic debris from northwest Europe, the UK, and the east coast of the United States due to a large-scale ocean circulation driven by differences in water densities. As surface water in these seas cools and becomes denser, it moves downward, pulling in surface water from the North Atlantic and delivering buoyant plastic to the Arctic.

Wind is another factor contributing to the presence of plastic in the Arctic. Wind-induced systems of subtropical gyres, also known as "great plastic garbage patches," transport plastic to the Arctic. In each hemisphere, two steady wind belts blow in opposite directions south and north of the 30th parallel. When these crosswinds interact with ocean surfaces, they generate convergence zones that form the great subtropical gyres. Atmospheric circulation patterns, such as the Icelandic Low, North American High, Aleutian Low, and Siberian High, carry air masses containing microplastics and nanoplastics from urban areas in Europe, North America, East Asia, and Siberia to the Arctic. These plastics are deposited in the ocean, cryosphere, and permafrost through wet and dry deposition.

Rivers also contribute to the plastic pollution in the Arctic. While the exact amount of plastic debris entering the Arctic Ocean through rivers is unclear, it could be significant due to their enormous catchment areas that lie beyond the Arctic borders and pass through large cities.

Plastic pollution in the Arctic is affecting the marine food chain

Plastic pollution is a pressing issue in the Arctic, with far-reaching consequences for the region's delicate marine food chain. The Arctic Ocean surface waters contain the most plastics of any ocean basin, and this pollution is not limited to surface waters but also penetrates the deep seafloor. The sources of this plastic pollution are both local and distant, with plastic transported to the Arctic by ocean currents, atmospheric processes, and rivers.

Local sources of plastic pollution in the Arctic include commercial fishing, shipping, aquaculture, and the oil and gas sector. Abandoned fishing gear, known as "ghost gear," is a significant contributor to marine debris in the region and poses a deadly threat to marine wildlife. Seals, sea lions, and bowhead whales have been found entangled in synthetic ropes and nets, and as fishing efforts move further north, the problem is expected to worsen.

Distant sources of plastic pollution in the Arctic include the coasts of northwest Europe, the UK, and the east coast of North America. Plastic is carried to the Arctic by ocean currents, such as the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, and atmospheric processes, such as wind-induced subtropical gyres. The Arctic's unique geography, with its convergence of ocean currents, makes it particularly vulnerable to remote sources of pollution.

The impact of plastic pollution on the Arctic marine food chain is profound. Microplastics, which make up a significant portion of the plastic pollution in the Arctic, are easily ingested by marine wildlife, contaminating the entire food chain. Studies have found elevated volumes of plastic in the stomachs of various Arctic species, including cod, fulmars, and belugas. This ingestion of plastic can lead to health risks and negative impacts on the region's ecosystems.

Addressing plastic pollution in the Arctic requires a multi-faceted approach. Efforts such as the Regional Action Plan on marine litter aim to reduce the negative impact of litter on the ecosystem through sustainable materials, coastal clean-ups, stronger monitoring, and research. Additionally, initiatives like the Global Ghost Gear Initiative focus on reducing, removing, and recycling abandoned fishing gear to mitigate its harmful effects on marine life. While these efforts provide hope, preventing plastic waste in the first place is key to ensuring a cleaner and healthier Arctic environment.

Plastic waste in the Arctic is harmful to birds, turtles and whales

Plastic waste in the Arctic is a pressing issue, as it affects the region's unique and vulnerable ecosystems, including birds, turtles, and whales. The Arctic is one of the most remote and inhospitable places on Earth, but it is now facing unprecedented changes due to human activities, including plastic pollution. The exact amount of plastic in the Arctic Ocean is challenging to determine, but it is pervasive even in the most remote areas, such as the deep seafloor.

Birds are among the main victims of plastic pollution in the Arctic. They ingest plastic directly from the environment or indirectly through contaminated food. Microplastics, in particular, are a significant concern, as they are almost impossible to eliminate and can be ingested by birds in large quantities. For example, studies have shown that 82% of northern fulmar stomach contents contained microplastics, with some individuals ingesting more than 2,500 microplastic particles. Birds can also become entangled in larger pieces of plastic waste, such as abandoned fishing nets, leading to fatal consequences.

Turtles are another group affected by plastic waste in the Arctic. All seven species of sea turtles ingest microplastics, and younger turtles are especially vulnerable. Scientists have found that ingesting just one piece of plastic increases a sea turtle's chance of premature death by 20%, and the risk rises to 50% for turtles that ingest 14 pieces. In addition, sea turtles face entanglement and entrapment in various plastic items, from abandoned fishing gear to plastic pollution on beaches, which can be deadly.

Whales, though not specifically mentioned in the sources, are likely impacted by plastic waste in the Arctic as well. Whales are marine mammals, and as previously mentioned, plastic pollution has been found in the bodies of Arctic mammals and can cause entanglement and ingestion issues. Additionally, as the Arctic is home to unique ecosystems and a diverse range of species, it is reasonable to assume that whales, being large filter feeders, could be affected by the presence of microplastics and plastic debris in their habitat.

Overall, plastic waste in the Arctic poses a significant threat to birds, turtles, and likely whales, through ingestion, entanglement, and the toxic effects of plastic chemicals. Addressing this issue requires a combination of research, policy changes, and individual actions to reduce plastic consumption and improve waste management practices in the region.

Efforts to reduce and clean up plastic waste in the Arctic

The Arctic is facing a growing threat from plastic pollution, with plastic waste accumulating in certain areas and damaging local ecosystems. The sources of plastic pollution in the Arctic are both local and distant, with plastic transported by ocean currents, wind, rivers, and atmospheric currents. While the Arctic is a remote region, it is not isolated from the global plastic pollution crisis.

To address this issue, several efforts are being made to reduce and clean up plastic waste in the Arctic. Here are some key initiatives:

Regional Action Plan:

The Arctic Council, in collaboration with Arctic States and Indigenous Peoples, has developed the first-ever Regional Action Plan to tackle marine litter in the Arctic. This plan focuses on key sources of plastic pollution, such as fisheries and aquaculture, ships and offshore structures, onshore waste, and wastewater management. It proposes solutions like sustainable materials, coastal clean-ups, stronger monitoring, research, and outreach. The plan aims to reduce the negative impact of litter on the region's ecosystem and serve as a model for addressing marine litter globally.

Community Engagement and Education:

Local communities in the Arctic are actively engaged in understanding and addressing plastic pollution. In northern Canada, community-based research programs on litter and microplastics are funded under the Northern Contaminants Program. Additionally, Nunavut Arctic College in Iqaluit, Canada, has been offering a course on plastic pollution since 2009, fostering knowledge sharing and participation in local research.

International Collaboration and Research:

The Arctic Council, the World Economic Forum, and organizations like Ocean Conservancy are working together to address plastic pollution in the Arctic. They are conducting research, sharing knowledge, and advocating for change. The International Symposium on Plastics in the Arctic and Sub-Arctic Region, for example, brought together experts to discuss the issues and possible solutions.

Waste Management Support:

The Arctic Council's Sustainable Development Working Group (SDWG) is providing smaller communities in the Arctic with tools and best practices to manage plastic pollution effectively. This includes safer burning to minimize inhalation, mandatory collection programs, and improved landfill infrastructure. These initiatives aim to overcome the unique challenges of waste management in the Arctic, such as expensive infrastructure and transportation.

Policy and Advocacy:

Iceland, during its chairmanship of the Arctic Council from 2019 to 2021, made plastic pollution a priority. They co-hosted workshops and symposiums to bring together policymakers, experts, and researchers to develop frameworks and strategies for combating plastic pollution in the Arctic. This included discussions on stricter regulations, advocacy campaigns, and global cooperation to incentivize change among major players like the European Union.

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