Nanoplastics that can enter human blood stream now found in Antarctica | Science | News
Plastic found in soil in dry land regions of icy continent (Image: Getty)
British scientists investigating the global spread of potentially dangerous tiny micro- and nanoplastics have alarmingly found them in the remote lands of Antarctica. Microplastics and nanoplastics (MNPs) pose an increasing systemic threat to human health by infiltrating major organ systems and causing cellular damage.
Microplastics (equal or less than 5 mm in length) usually enter the human digestive tract, while nanoplastics (equal to or less than a micrometer) are small enough to enter the bloodstream and human cells. In a study published in 2024, scientists found that consumption of plastic particles has increased sixfold since 1990, particularly in several global hotspots such as the United States, China, parts of the Middle East, North Africa and Scandinavia.
Now samples by an international team led by Lancaster University have revealed nanoplastics in the soil of the McMurdo Dry Valleys, a particularly remote and ice-free region of Antarctica.
The study, published in the journal Nature Scientific Reports, shows that plastics, including polypropylene, polyethylene, PET, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride and rubber wear particles, were all found in the soil here during tests conducted in January 2023.
Lancaster University said: “Plastic was found in the topsoil of thirteen sample sites, with nanoplastics found in 54% of topsoil sample sites.
“Nanoplastics were also found in deeper soil layers, albeit at lower concentrations, in half of the areas sampled.
“The discovery of nanoplastics in samples was made possible by advances in analytical techniques.
“The researchers used a recently developed technique called ‘thermal desorption-proton transfer reaction-mass spectrometry’. This is an extremely sensitive technique that can detect plastic nanoparticles.”
Researchers believe that plastics may enter the Antarctic environment from both research stations in Antarctica and be transported long distances to the continent in the atmosphere.
They say additional research will be needed to determine how nanoplastics reached Antarctic soil, as well as their potential impact on this fragile and pristine ecosystem.
Plastic waste and pollution is a global crisis (Image: Getty)
The lead author of the study, Dr., who conducted the research as a doctoral researcher at Lancaster University. Nhu Phan said: “This evidence shows that soils in one of the world’s most pristine environments are not immune from plastic pollution.
“These findings underscore the urgent need to investigate the fate, transport and ecological impacts of plastic in polar regions.”
The researchers say their findings and their potential impact on Antarctic ecosystems are concerning.
They say polar ecosystems may be particularly vulnerable because invertebrates have lower metabolism, slower growth and other characteristics that make them less adaptable and more susceptible to chemical stress.
Professor Crispin Halsall, of Lancaster University and co-author of the study, added: “Our findings raise concerns about the global reach of plastic pollution.
“Currently, it is unclear whether ultrafine nanoplastic particles were introduced from afar via direct long-distance atmospheric transport or through weathering of larger plastic debris found in marine areas along the Antarctic coastline.”
The researchers add that their findings underscore the urgent need to strengthen international cooperation to reduce global plastic emissions and implement stricter waste management practices on the continent.
The work is summarized in the article ‘First evidence of nanoplastics in Antarctic soil’.
