Microplastics were first found in the fresh snow of Antarctica.

Prior to this, particles were found only in sea ice and surface water bodies of the continent. Microplastics were present in all 19 samples taken from the Ross Ice Shelf. On average - 29 particles per liter of melted snow. This is more than in the nearest sea and ice. Near the bases of polar explorers, the concentration of microplastics was even three times higher. Scientists have found 13 different types of plastic. The most common is PET. They make bottles and clothes from it. Microplastics could have entered Antarctica by air from other parts of the world, or they could have been brought to the continent by research teams.