Abstract. In recent years, airborne microplastics have been identified in a range of remote environments. However, data throughout the Southern Hemisphere, in particular Antarctica, are largely absent to date. We collected snow samples from 19 sites across the Ross Island region of Antarctica. Suspected microplastic particles were isolated and their composition confirmed using micro-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (µFTIR). We identified microplastics in all Antarctic snow samples at an average concentration of 29 particles L−1, with fibres the most common morphotype and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) the most common polymer. To investigate sources, backward air mass trajectories were run from the time of sampling. These indicate potential long-range transportation of up to 6000 km, assuming a residence time of 6.5 d. Local sources were also identified as potential inputs into the environment as the polymers identified were consistent with those used in clothing and equipment from nearby research stations. This study adds to the growing body of literature regarding microplastics as a ubiquitous airborne pollutant and establishes their presence in Antarctica.

Abstract. In recent years, airborne microplastics have been identified in a range of remote environments. However, data throughout the Southern Hemisphere, in particular Antarctica, are largely absent to date. We collected snow samples from 19 sites across the Ross Island region of Antarctica. Suspected microplastic particles were isolated and their composition confirmed using micro-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (μFTIR).We identified microplastics in all Antarctic snow samples at an average concentration of 29 particles L−1, with fibres the most common morphotype and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) the most common polymer. To investigate sources, backward air mass trajectories were run from the time of sampling. These indicate potential long-range transportation of up to 6000 kilometers, assuming a residence time of 6.5 days. Local sources were also identified as potential inputs into the environment, as the polymers identified were consistent with those used in clothing and equipment from nearby research stations. This study adds to the growing body of literature regarding microplastics as a ubiquitous airborne pollutant, and establishes their presence in Antarctica.

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<p>In recent years, microplastic transport through the atmosphere has gained interest. This pathway allows microplastics to reach remote regions of the world and draws attention to the impact which they may have on global climate processes and human health. Remote regions, particularly in the Southern Hemisphere, are currently under-researched and the understanding of airborne microplastics still in its infancy. Atmospheric deposition and seawater samples were collected on board a RV <em>Tangaroa</em> voyage, which sailed from Wellington, New Zealand to the Ross Sea, Antarctica in January 2021. Marine and atmospheric microplastics were collected and analysed spectroscopically to confirm polymer composition. The findings from this study will be discussed, highlighting the ubiquitous nature of microplastics throughout the Southern Ocean. This study contributes a unique data set from a remote region of the world, and further develops our understanding of marine-atmosphere fluxes of microplastics.</p>

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