Modelling the surface transport and spatio-temporal extent of microplastic pollution in the Southern Ocean and Antarctic waters

模拟南大洋和南极水域微塑料污染的表面传输和时空范围

• 批准号: 2241704
• 金额: --
• 依托单位: UNIVERSITY OF EXETER
• 依托单位国家: 英国
• 项目类别: Studentship
• 财政年份: 2019
• 资助国家: 英国
• 起止时间: 2019 至 无数据
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=studentship-2241704
• 关键词: Modelling; surface; transport; spatio; temporal

Project Background: The Southern Ocean and Antarctic marine environment are often considered pristine and largely beyond the reach of human impact. However, of increasing concern is the presence of tiny floating plastic fragments (microplastics) found in Antarctic and sub-Antarctic waters and sediments [Waller et al., 2017]. Microplastics can be ingested by keystone filter feeder species such as Antarctic krill, with toxicological effects that can in turn accumulate through the food chain and impact larger predators such as seabirds, seals and whales [Cole et al., 2013; Kaposi et al., 2014; Lusher et al. 2015.]. The deposition of microplastics on the seabed will also likely impact benthic communities. Crucially, however, the extent, quantity, sources and impacts of marine plastics in Antarctica are largely unknown. Recent studies indicate that local sources such as shipping and scientific research stations do not account for recorded concentrations of microplastics indicating an influx of plastic from more remote regions [Waller et al., 2017]. This project will use models and field observations to better understand the sources, dispersal routes and timescales of microplastics that have reached Antarctic waters. Ultimately, this project will help to inform the future governance of polar marine pollution.Project Aims and Methods: The primary aim of this project is to better quantify the sources, pathways and distribution of marine microplastics in Antarctica and the surrounding Southern Ocean. The Southern Ocean acts as a confluence and upwelling zone for water masses from across the globe, and hence likely collects microplastics from far reaching sources. However, the strong circumpolar currents associated with the Southern Ocean can also act as barriers to the southward flux of particles into the Antarctic waters. The difficulty of collecting sufficient temporal and spatially distributed concentrations of microplastics across the Southern Ocean means that ocean models are an essential tool to 'fill in the gaps'. This project will use Lagrangian (i.e. particle tracking) models to map the pathways of microplastics that have reached Antarctic waters from both local and remote sources [e.g. Van Sebille et al. 2015]. In particular, model data will help to assess the role of smaller scale processes such as storms and eddies in facilitating the southward transfer of microplastic across the frontal barriers that encircle the Antarctic continent [Tamzitt et al., 2017; Fraser et al. 2018]. Model data will be initialised and validated by observations of marine microplastic distribution and concentrations collected by the British Antarctic Survey (BAS). Although largely theoretically based, there may be the opportunity for the student to participate in a BAS research cruise to the Southern Ocean to gain experience of fieldwork and microplastic data collection.The student will benefit from interaction and collaboration with the newly-formed Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) action group Plastics in Polar Environment.There will be some flexibility to adjust this PhD project to allow the successful applicant to direct their own research and cater for any specific interests - it will have to stay broadly within the current remit, be aligned with available data and remain within the expertise of project supervisors.

项目背景：南大洋和南极海洋环境通常被认为是原始的，在很大程度上超出了人类影响力的范围。然而，人们越来越关注的是在南极和亚北极水和沉积物中发现的微小的浮动塑料碎片（微塑料）[Waller等，2017]。微塑料可以被基石过滤器饲养物（如南极磷虾）摄入，毒理学作用又可以通过食物链积累并影​​响大型捕食者，例如海鸟，海豹和鲸鱼[Cole等，2013; Kaposi等人，2014年； Lusher等。 2015年。]。微塑料在海床上的沉积也可能影响底栖群落。然而，至关重要的是，南极洲海洋塑料的数量，数量，来源和影响在很大程度上是未知的。最近的研究表明，诸如运输和科学研究站之类的当地来源并未解释记录的微塑料浓度，表明塑料从更偏远地区涌入[Waller等，2017]。该项目将使用模型和现场观测来更好地了解已经到达南极水域的微塑料的来源，分散路线和时间尺度。最终，该项目将有助于告知极地海洋污染的未来治理。南部海洋是全球水质的汇合和上升区，因此很可能从遥远的来源收集了微塑料。但是，与南大洋相关的强极极性电流也可以充当颗粒向南通量进入南极水域的障碍。收集足够的时间和空间分布的微塑料遍布南大洋的困难意味着海洋模型是“填补差距”的必要工具。该项目将使用拉格朗日（即粒子跟踪）模型来绘制从本地和远程来源到达南极水的微塑料的途径[例如Van Sebille等。 2015]。特别是，模型数据将有助于评估较小规模的过程（例如风暴和涡流）在促进微型塑料向南横向屏障的南部转移中的作用，这些额叶环绕着南极大陆[Tamzitt等，2017; Fraser等。 2018]。模型数据将通过观察到英国南极调查（BAS）收集的海洋微型分布和浓度来初始化和验证。尽管在很大程度上是基于理论上的，但学生可能有机会参加南大洋的BAS研究，以获得现场工作和微塑料数据的经验。该学生将受益于与新成立的南极研究（Scar）研究（Scar）的互动委员会（Scar）的互动委员会（SCRAC）塑料的互动和合作。必须在当前职权范围内广泛地保持一致，与可用数据保持一致，并保持在项目主管的专业知识范围内。