British Antarctic Survey scientists have discovered microplastics in Euphausia superba krill and Salpa thompsoni salps. This is reported in an article published in the journal Royal Society Open Science.

Krill and salpa samples were collected aboard the research vessel RRS James Clark Ross during two expeditions off the northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula in 2016 and off South Georgia Island in 2018. Microplastics have been extracted from both species, with plastic microfibers being the most common.

About 60 percent of the krill and salp contained nylon, a microplastic widely used in the production of clothing, fishing tackle, ropes and reinforcing car tires. One of the biggest sources of these fibers is clothes that are washed and dried.

The data obtained underline that the marine ecosystem of the polar regions of the Southern Hemisphere is sensitive to plastic pollution. Because of the short food chains in Antarctica, transfer of microplastics from krill to larger predators such as whales, penguins and seals is highly likely. According to the authors, the plastic in krill and salpa could also negatively affect the animals' role in transporting atmospheric carbon to the deep ocean.