Characterization of marine litter in the vicinity of the Machu Picchu Scientific Base, King George Island, Antarctica

IF 1.5 4区地球科学 Q3 ECOLOGY

Polar Science Pub Date : 2025-03-01 DOI:10.1016/j.polar.2025.101170

Gabriel Enrique De-la-Torre , Williams Ramos , Victor Pretell , Luis Santillán

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Abstract

In the present study, marine litter in the vicinity of the Machu Picchu Scientific Base, Antarctica, was quantified and characterized. A total of 33 items were counted, primarily composed of plastic debris and foams, followed by metallic structures. A high abundance of marine litter was associated with the proximity to the scientific base. Common plastic polymers were identified by Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy, including polypropylene, polyethylene, polyurethane, acrylates, and polystyrene. The abundance of synthetic polymer materials could potentially release toxic chemicals and microplastics into the environment. We suspect that permanent and seasonal Antarctic bases' maintenance and operation release large amounts of structural waste to their surroundings and lack proper solid waste management. For this reason, enforcing solid waste management systems and internal regulations is necessary to follow the guidelines of the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty.

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来源期刊

Polar Science ECOLOGY-GEOSCIENCES, MULTIDISCIPLINARY

CiteScore

3.90

自引率

5.60%

发文量

期刊介绍： Polar Science is an international, peer-reviewed quarterly journal. It is dedicated to publishing original research articles for sciences relating to the polar regions of the Earth and other planets. Polar Science aims to cover 15 disciplines which are listed below; they cover most aspects of physical sciences, geosciences and life sciences, together with engineering and social sciences. Articles should attract the interest of broad polar science communities, and not be limited to the interests of those who work under specific research subjects. Polar Science also has an Open Archive whereby published articles are made freely available from ScienceDirect after an embargo period of 24 months from the date of publication. - Space and upper atmosphere physics - Atmospheric science/climatology - Glaciology - Oceanography/sea ice studies - Geology/petrology - Solid earth geophysics/seismology - Marine Earth science - Geomorphology/Cenozoic-Quaternary geology - Meteoritics - Terrestrial biology - Marine biology - Animal ecology - Environment - Polar Engineering - Humanities and social sciences.