First Evidence of Microplastic Occurrence in the Marine and Freshwater Environments in a Remote Polar Region of the Kola Peninsula and a Correlation with Human Presence

SIMPLE SUMMARY: The level of microplastic pollution in marine and fresh waters in the least populated and northernmost region of the Kola Peninsula was determined. Fibers were found to be the main components of the microplastics detected and constituted 76–83%. There was a direct anthropogenic effect on the concentration of microplastics in water in the studied lakes in the Kola Peninsula. We established a strong correlation between the number of microfibers and the distance of the lake from the field station. This is the first study that has reported a correlation of microplastic levels with human presence in the most remote lakes in the tundra region in Europe, north of the Arctic Circle of the Kola Peninsula. Our results show that even the occasional human presence can have an impact on microplastic pollution in remote environments. ABSTRACT: Microplastics (MPs) have even been detected in remote environments, including high-latitude regions, where human activities are restricted or strongly limited. We investigated the surface water of the bays of the Barents Sea and the freshwater lakes that are located close to and several kilometers from a year-round resident field station in the remote tundra region of the Kola Peninsula. The microplastics’ presence in aquatic environments in this region has not been indicated yet. Microplastics were detected in all samples collected from the Barents Sea (<4800 items·m(−3)) and the lakes (<3900 items·m(−3)). Fibers made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET)—the most common thermoplastic polymer of the polyester family—and semi-synthetic cellulosic rayon were the most dominant. This indicated that the source of fiber contamination may come from protective clothes, ropes, ship equipment, and fishing nets. Small microplastics can spread through current and atmospheric transport. The Norwegian Current is likely responsible for the lack of correlations found between MP contamination and the distance from the field station between the studied bays of the Barents Sea. On the contrary, a significant correlation with human presence was observed in the concentration of microfibers in the water of the tundra lakes. The number of MP fibers decreased with an increase in the distance from the field station. This is the first study, to the best of our knowledge, that reports such a correlation in a remote region. We also discuss implications for animals. Our results show that even the most isolated ecosystems are not free from microplastic pollution.