Microplastics found in Antarctic sea creatures | British Antarctic Survey

Dinner for whales and penguins, including a side dish of plastic... Scientists have found microplastic pollution in krill and salps from the Southern Ocean. A new study led by researchers at British Antarctic Survey shares important evidence that these animals, as well as other zooplankton, ingest plastic in their natural environment. Krill and salps are vital food sources to much of the Southern Ocean’s wildlife as well as helping to trap carbon from the atmosphere in the deep ocean. The impact of the microplastics in this environment is not fully understood and could interfere with their ability to trap carbon as well as getting transferred up the food chain to animals such as whales and penguins. The team found plastics in most krill and salp samples with the most common type being nylon, a fibre with wider ranging applications from clothing to car tires. ➡ Read this news story on the British Antarctic Survey website: --- About British Antarctic Survey (BAS) The polar regions may be at the ends of the Earth, but what happens there affects us all. We’re committed to understanding our planet - and how humans are impacting the future of our home. British Antarctic Survey carries out and supports polar science for the UK, and in collaboration with science communities around the world. Twitter: Facebook: Instagram: #antarctica #science #pollution #eco #ecology #nature