Low cost preventive measures can effectively mitigated microplastics release from scientific research facilities in Antarctica

Low cost preventive measures can effectively mitigated microplastics release from scientific research facilities in Antarctica | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Article Low cost preventive measures can effectively mitigated microplastics release from scientific research facilities in Antarctica Aanchal Jain, Kevin A. Hughes, Clara Manno This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4648136/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Microplastics release in Antarctica are becoming a concerning issue, despite of the limited human presence. This study estimates the annual release of primary microplastics from scientific facilities and analyse the policy interventions to efficiently target this pollution. The study has estimated an amount of 238kg per year, which is negligible on a continental scale but could have significant local environmental impacts. A comprehensive cost-efficiency analysis demonstrates that microplastics release can be effectively mitigated through low-cost preventive measures, such as installing washing machine filters and banning hygiene products containing microbeads. Furthermore, the implementation of wastewater treatment systems is suggested as a crucial and long-term cost-effective solution for treating wastewater effluent and removing other pollutants from the Antarctic region. These results provide a framework to inform policy decisions on microplastics release in Antarctica and lay the foundation for improved environmental protection strategies in this sensitive region. Earth and environmental sciences/Ecology/Environmental economics Earth and environmental sciences/Ecology/Ecological modelling Microplastics Wastewater Scientific facilities Antarctica Cost efficiency analysis policy analysis Full Text Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. 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