Plastic in fresh snow for the first time in Antarctica

Plastic particles were recently discovered by New Zealand researchers in freshly fallen snowfall in Antarctica,

reports on Wednesday.

In the past, similar microplastics had already been found in the waters and ice of the White Continent, a sign that human pollution has indeed affected this remote part of the globe.

According to information from the British media, the 19 samples taken by the scientists all revealed the presence of microplastics, including those from the most isolated areas.

In total, thirteen different types of plastic have been identified, the most common of which is PET, used in particular to make bottles and clothing.

The human presence directly involved

According to the researchers, two causes can explain the presence of these pollutants in Antarctica: the transport in the air of these particles from the four corners of the globe as well as the human presence on the continent.

The use of marking flags on site to find one's way around the base is particularly singled out by scientists, a hypothesis corroborated by the observation of concentrations three times higher in samples taken near scientific bases than in those from remote areas.

The presence of microplastics in Antarctica directly threatens the health of the unique ecosystems of the southern continent and risks accelerating the melting of ice and snow.

Indeed, scientists have proven that these particles could contribute to global warming by trapping the radiation emitted by the Earth, as explained by our colleagues from

.

As a reminder, microplastics refer to particles whose size is less than 5 mm.

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