Microplastics in the realm of Svalbard: current knowledge and future perspective (MIRES)

This is chapter 5 of the State of Environmental Science in Svalbard (SESS) report 2020 (https://sios-svalbard.org/SESS_Issue3).

Plastic pollution is an increasing problem worldwide including in Svalbard and the Arctic more widely. This includes microplastics (MPs) i.e. the fraction of plastic smaller than 5 mm. MPs are ingested by a wide range of organisms like zooplankton, crustaceans, fish, seabirds and mammals. Once ingested, MPs can potentially affect the organisms either by obstruction and abrasion, by releasing the associated chemicals and adsorbed contaminants (plasticisers, persistent organics pollutants), or by adverse effects of the particles themselves. Humans are exposed to MPs, amongst other pathways, by consuming contaminated food.

We find MPs in sea ice, snow, water, deep-sea sediment, beaches and organisms (amphipods, fish) at different locations in Svalbard. The best available evidence gathered by monitoring and research suggests that MPs pollution is likely to have negative effects in Svalbard, at least at long time scales. A good view of MPs status based on our current understanding and adopting a future perspective is crucial for evaluating and communicating the significance of preventing and reducing plastic pollution in the Arctic.