Microplastics Found in Antarctica's Toughest Insect Species

A global research team led by the University of Kentucky has discovered that Antarctica's only native insect, Belgica antarctica, is ingesting microplastics. This study, published in the journal Science of the Total Environment, marks the first examination of microplastics' effects on Antarctic insects.

The project was initiated by Jack Devlin, who was inspired after watching a documentary on plastic pollution. Belgica antarctica, a nonbiting midge, is found exclusively in Antarctica, living in moist patches of moss and algae along the Antarctic Peninsula.

Despite Antarctica being viewed as a pristine environment, previous studies have detected plastic fragments in fresh snow and seawater. The research team conducted tests that showed survival rates of the midges remained stable even at high plastic concentrations, although larvae exposed to higher microplastic levels had lower fat reserves.

The project also sought to determine if wild Belgica larvae were already ingesting microplastics. In a 2023 research cruise, the team collected larvae from 20 sites on 13 islands and discovered only two microplastic fragments after analyzing gut contents.

While the findings indicate Antarctica still has lower plastic levels than most of the planet, Devlin warns that microplastics are entering the ecosystem and could alter the energy balance of these insects.

The study highlights the pervasive issue of plastic pollution even in remote ecosystems and underscores the need for further research into the long-term impacts of microplastics on wildlife, especially as climate change introduces additional stressors.

Future work will aim to track changes in microplastic levels in Antarctic soils and conduct longer-term experiments on Belgica antarctica and other soil organisms. This research was supported by various organizations, including the Antarctic Science International Bursary and the U.S.

National Science Foundation.