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Pollution in the Arctic Ocean: Sources and Distribution 

 

Photo: Maxim Kurapov

Russian scientists at the Northern (Arctic) Federal University (NArFU) together with colleagues from the Russian State Hydrometeorological University (RSHU) have established the features of the Arctic pollution caused by marine debris, the University Media Office says.

The scientists concluded that, unlike other polluted areas of the world's oceans, in the Arctic, rubbish is carried ashore by the surf rather than accumulating on the water surface.

These findings were made during the Arctic Floating University expedition.

In the Arctic, rubbish does not accumulate on the water surface, but is carried to the coast of the islands. First of all, it washes ashore on Novaya Zemlya and Franz Josef Land, said the expedition's leader Alexander Saburov.

The scientists noted that most often the accumulated rubbish is small in size - up to 50 cm (19,7 inches). However, the scientists also found large fishing items: buoys, boxes, fishing nets, etc. The NArFU scientists emphasised that although plastic is the most common material, glass and metal rubbish is increasingly being found on beaches.

During the expedition, the scientists identified the main sources of pollution on the coasts of Novaya Zemlya. Vessels of different countries (Denmark, Germany, Iceland, Norway, Russia, and the U.K.) actively fishing in the Barents Sea, as well as cargo ships passing along the Northern Sea Route are the key sources of rubbish.

Source: RIA Novosti

23.11.2023