Plastic Pollution Hotspots Originating from Local Sources in the Southern Ocean

Scientific understanding of plastic pollution in the Southern Ocean is rapidly growing, necessitating assessments of its distribution, intensity, and local origins. Evaluating the combined effects of plastic with other stressors on Antarctic ecosystems is also crucial. While distant sources contribute, focusing on local inputs is key. Recent research has identified ecologically sensitive areas likely to be impacted by plastic arising from local sources, and a visual mapping tool is now available based on this work. This work underscores the need for continuous, coordinated monitoring of plastic pollution to inform management and policy efforts. Here, we present a new web-based tool that maps microplastic hotspots, identifies high-risk areas for plastic-biota interactions in the Antarctic, and is intended to support monitoring and mitigation efforts.