Plastic pollution in the Arctic

Plastic pollution is now pervasive in the Arctic, even in areas with no apparent human activity, such as the deep seafloor. In this Review, we describe the sources and impacts of Arctic plastic pollution, including plastic debris and microplastics, which have infiltrated terrestrial and aquatic systems, the cryosphere and the atmosphere. Although some pollution is from local sources — fisheries, landfills, wastewater and offshore industrial activity — distant regions are a substantial source, as plastic is carried from lower latitudes to the Arctic by ocean currents, atmospheric transport and rivers. Once in the Arctic, plastic pollution accumulates in certain areas and affects local ecosystems. Population-level information is sparse, but interactions such as entanglements and ingestion of marine debris have been recorded for mammals, seabirds, fish and invertebrates. Early evidence also suggests interactions between climate change and plastic pollution. Even if plastic emissions are halted today, fragmentation of legacy plastic will lead to an increasing microplastic burden in Arctic ecosystems, which are already under pressure from anthropogenic warming. Mitigation is urgently needed at both regional and international levels to decrease plastic production and utilization, achieve circularity and optimize solid waste management and wastewater treatment. Plastic debris and microplastics are ubiquitous in the Arctic. This Review describes the sources, distribution and consequences of this pollution, and calls for immediate action to mitigate further ecosystem impact. The widespread plastic pollution in the Arctic originates from both local and distant sources. Concentrations of plastic in the Arctic vary widely, with greater accumulation in certain hotspots, but are generally similar to those of more densely populated regions. Plastic has infiltrated all levels of the Arctic food web, including many endemic species, with largely unknown organismal impacts. In the fast-changing Arctic, plastic pollution adds to the effects of climate change in terms of growing sources, transport processes, potential feedback loops and ecological consequences. Mitigation of both local and distal plastic pollution is needed to prevent further ecosystem degradation. The widespread plastic pollution in the Arctic originates from both local and distant sources. Concentrations of plastic in the Arctic vary widely, with greater accumulation in certain hotspots, but are generally similar to those of more densely populated regions. Plastic has infiltrated all levels of the Arctic food web, including many endemic species, with largely unknown organismal impacts. In the fast-changing Arctic, plastic pollution adds to the effects of climate change in terms of growing sources, transport processes, potential feedback loops and ecological consequences. Mitigation of both local and distal plastic pollution is needed to prevent further ecosystem degradation.