Anthropogenic debris in an Antarctic Specially Protected Area in the maritime Antarctic. (November 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Finger, Júlia Victória Grohmann; Corá, Denyelle Hennayra; Convey, Peter; Cruz, Francisco Santa; Petry, Maria Virginia; Krüger, Lucas
• Is Part Of: Marine pollution bulletin. Volume 172(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-11
• Subjects: Nelson Island -- Harmony Point -- Marine debris -- Macroplastics -- Polar pollution; Marine pollution -- Periodicals; Marine Biology -- Periodicals; Water Pollution -- Periodicals; Mer -- Pollution -- Périodiques; Publications périodiques; Pollution des mers; Lutte antipollution; Electronic journals; 363.7394
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112921
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-326X

Abstract

Abstract: Antarctic Specially Protected Areas (ASPAs) provide the strongest environmental protection in Antarctica. However, they are not immune from anthropogenic pollution of marine or terrestrial origin. We document anthropogenic debris within ASPA No. 133 Harmony Point, Nelson Island, recovering 1544 items between November 2019 and January 2020. The majority (82.6 %) were found close to a national operator-constructed refuge and were smaller than 5 cm. Larger items (up to 300 cm) were present on beaches and plateaus. Charcoal and rubber were the most abundant items around the refuge and plastic and metal were the most abundant items on beaches and plateaus. Debris items likely arriving in the area by marine transportation (e.g. plastic) are of concern due to both risk of ingestion and their degradation leading to the release of hazardous chemicals. Such pollution contravenes the terms of the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty and other regionally applicable regulations. Graphical abstract: Unlabelled Image Highlights: Presence of anthropogenic items was documented in ASPA No. 133 Harmony Point Plastic, metal, rope and foam were the most abundant items on beaches and plateaus. Charcoal, rubber, wood, glass and paint chips were most abundant around the research refuge. Most debris on beaches were between 10 and 50 cm long and close to the refuge <5 cm.