World Environment Day: Ocean Race reveals widespread presence of microplastics in the Atlantic Ocean
The samples were collected during the last edition of the Ocean Race, in the South Atlantic Ocean, in a region recognized as the most remote point in relation to land on the entire planet.
Photo Reproduction / Internet
During the Ocean Race, a competition that spanned some of the most remote corners of the oceans, sailors who tested the waters made a troubling discovery: all samples contained microplastics. In some places, even 1,884 microplastic particles per cubic meter of seawater, which represents an increase of up to 18 times compared to tests carried out during the last Ocean Race, which took place in 2018. Athletes attribute this increase to the greater sensitivity of their measuring instruments.
"It is really concerning that we find microplastics in all samples, from coastal areas to the most remote regions of the ocean," said Victoria Fulfer, Visiting Scientist at the University of Rhode Island at the National Center for Oceanography (NOC) in the UK... " We are seeing much higher concentrations this year, which could be a sign of increased pollution, but is also related to the increased sensitivity of our analysis.”
Samples
As samples were collected during the initial phases of the race, held from January to July, and covering the south atlantic ocean close to a place considered the farthest from land on the planet. In the second stage, which covered the Cape Verde to South Africa, concentrations of microplastics ranging from 92 to 1,884 units were concentrated, while in the third stage, between Cape Town and Itajai, Brazil, concentrations ranged from 160 to 1,492 units per cubic meter. In total, 45 samples were collected.
A filter installed on an airplane has the capacity to capture plastic particles with a size between 0.03 mm and 5 mm. These samples are sent daily to the NOC for analysis, supported by the University of Rhode Island.
Results
As coastal regions and urban areas were identified as those with the highest concentrations of microplastics. For example, on the coast of South Africa, readings between 816 and 1,712 particles per cubic meter were recorded. In addition, high concentrations were also located in areas known as "garbage patches" in the sea, where sea currents favor the accumulation of plastic.
During the Ocean Race 2017-18, concentrations varied between 50 and 100 particles per cubic meter. 320 microplastic particles per cubic meter were found in samples collected in the vicinity of Point Nemo, a more remote area of the planet, located 2,688 km (1,450 nautical miles) away from Earth in all directions. This amount represents an increase over the 9-41 particles found in the last analysis.
Polyethylene is the most common chemical component found in plastics. Its use is widespread in the manufacture of disposable packaging, plastic bags and containers, including bottles.
Study
Research into microplastics forms a key component of an ongoing scientific program during the Ocean Race, a journey of 62,000 km. During this race, navigators collected valuable information, such as sea temperature, CO2, oxygen levels and trace elements. These collections take place in areas waiting to be reached by scientific research vessels. The data obtained is shared with various scientific organizations, as well as publicly available on the website.theoceanracescience.com.
