Table 1 Microplastic counts and properties in near-surface seawater samples across the Arctic Ocean.

From: Pervasive distribution of polyester fibres in the Arctic Ocean is driven by Atlantic inputs

Region

# Samples

Suspected microplasticsa

FTIR-confirmed microplasticsb

 
  

Total SMPs counted

Concentration (SMP m−3)

% fibres

Fibre length (µm)

Fibre width (µm)

Total particles scanned (% of total)

Concentration (MP m−3)

% fibres

Fibre length (µm)

Fibre width (µm)

FTIR peak ratio index (PET)c

Eastern

24

196

272 ± 22.1 (133–500)

91.8% (71.4–100)

1196 ± 69 (170–4250)

14.5 ± 0.39 (2–40)

97 (49.5)

65.1 ± 8.0 (15.7–205)

95.8% (0–100)

1220 ± 162 (230–3375)

14.8 ± 0.83 (8–40)

0.28 ± 0.12 (0.001–2.22)

North Pole

13

92

236 ± 29.3 (66.7–400)

91.3% (81.8–100)

827 ± 93 (135–4225)

14.7 ± 0.68 (4–35)

23 (25)

44.3 ± 6.5 (9.9–107)

100%

1932 ± 622 (775–3630)

11.3 ± 0.5 (10–12)

0.47 ± 0.26 (0.111–4.13)

Western

34

247

102.7 ± 17.0 (0–367)

93.7% (66.7–100)

897 ± 51.5 (45–4860)

14.5 ± 0.46 (4–44)

81 (32.8)

21.1 ± 5.0 (0–153)

93.8% (50–100)

1044 ± 159 (230–3630)

14.4 ± 0.8 (8–20)

0.91 ± 0.26 (0.111–4.13)

Arctic-wide

71

535

186 ± 15.4 (0–500)

92.8% (66.7–100)

1003 ± 39.2 (45–4860)

14.9 ± 0.25 (2–60)

201 37.6%

49.0 ± 5.68 (0–260)

91.4% (0–100)

1132 ± 101 (230–3630)

14.1 ± 0.6 (7–40)

0.58 ± 0.13 (0.001–4.13)

  1. Data presented as mean ± SEM (range; min–max).
  2. aSuspected microplastics (SMPs) were enumerated visually with light microscopy.
  3. bFourier transform infra red (FTIR)-confirmed MP counts represent adjusted counts following spectroscopy as described in the “Methods” section.
  4. cThe FTIR weathering index was calculated as the ratio between two peaks observed in polyester absorbance spectra at 970 and 1240 cm−1, with low numbers observed for newer polymers.
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