Future monitoring of litter and microplastics in the Arctic – challenges, opportunities and strategies
| Type | Article | ||||||||
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| Date | 2023-03 | ||||||||
| Language | English | ||||||||
| Author(s) | Provencher Jennifer F.1, Aliani Stefano2, Bergmann Melanie3, Bourdages Madelaine4, Buhl-Mortensen Lene5, Galgani Francois 6, Gomiero Alessio7, Granberg Maria8, Grøsvik Bjørn Einar9, Hamilton Bonnie M.10, Kögel Tanja11, 12, Larsen Jan René13, Lusher Amy L.14, 15, Mallory Mark L.16, Murphy Peter17, Peeken Ilka18, Primpke Sebastian19, Strand Jakob20, Vorkamp Katrin21 |
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| Affiliation(s) | 1 : Environment and Climate Change Canada, 6347, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada 2 : Institute of Marine Sciences, National Research Council, La Spezia, Italy 3 : Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, 84597, Bremerhaven, Germany 4 : Carleton University, 6339, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada 5 : Institute of Marine Research, 115347, Bergen, Norway 6 : Ifremer, Plouzané, France 7 : Fram Centre, Tromsø, Norway 8 : Kristineberg Marine Research Station, Kristineberg, Sweden 9 : Institute of Marine Research, 115347, Bergen, Norway 10 : University of Toronto, 7938, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Toronto, Ontario, Canada 11 : University of Bergen, 1658, Department of Biological Science, Bergen, Norway 12 : Institute of Marine Research (IMR), Bergen, Norway 13 : Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP) Secretariat , Tromso, Norway 14 : Norwegian Institute for Water Research, 6273, Oslo, Norway 15 : University of Bergen, 1658, Bergen, Norway 16 : Acadia University, 8689, Biology, Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada 17 : NOAA, 7202, Washington, District of Columbia, United States 18 : Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, 84597, Polar Biological Oceanography, Bremerhaven, Germany 19 : Alfred-Wegener-Institut für Polar und Meeresforschung, 84597, Biologische Anstalt Helgoland, Helgoland, Germany 20 : Aarhus University, 1006, Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus, Denmark 21 : Aarhus University, 1006, Department of Environmental Science, Aarhus, Denmark |
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| Source | Arctic Science (2368-7460) (Canadian Science Publishing), 2023-03 , Vol. 9 , N. 1 , P. 209-226 | ||||||||
| DOI | 10.1139/AS-2022-0011 | ||||||||
| WOS© Times Cited | 8 | ||||||||
| Keyword(s) | ecosystem, effects, Indigenous communities, sources, transport pathways | ||||||||
| Abstract | The Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP) has published a plan and guidelines for the monitoring of litter and microplastics (MP) in the Arctic. Here we look beyond suggestions for immediate monitoring and discuss challenges, opportunities and future strategies in the long-term monitoring of litter and MP in the Arctic. Challenges are related to environmental conditions, lack of harmonization and standardization of measurements, and long-term coordinated and harmonized data storage. Furthermore, major knowledge gaps exist with regard to benchmark levels, transport, sources and effects, which should be considered in future monitoring strategies. Their development could build on the existing infrastructure and networks established in other monitoring initiatives in the Arctic, while taking into account specific requirements for litter and MP monitoring. Knowledge existing in northern and Indigenous communities, as well as their research priorities, should be integrated into collaborative approaches. The monitoring plan for litter and MP in the Arctic allows for an ecosystem-based approach, which will improve the understanding of linkages between environmental media of the Arctic, as well as links to the global problem of litter and MP pollution. |
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