cross-posted from: https://slrpnk.net/post/23409897

• An expedition by more than 50 researchers from seven countries has documented the gradual degradation of Antarctica: microplastics in the water, melting ice, and declining salinity in the Southern Ocean.
• The team found microplastics in both glacial ice and seawater.
• They also noted that atmospheric “rivers” are sending ash-laden air from Amazon forest fires to Antarctica, hastening the melting of snow and ice there.
• The accelerated melting means more freshwater is rushing into the Southern Ocean, reducing the salinity level and affecting the phytoplankton that form the basis of the marine food chain.

archived (Wayback Machine)