Humans have supervise to poison pretty much every part of the planet , from theAmazon rainforestto thedeepest point in the oceanand themost remote islandsin the world . Antarctica was guess to be one of the last natural havens left , but it seems even this snowy wilderness is contaminate . Traces of fictile and dangerous chemicals have now been discover in the continent ’s snow and water ice .

aside from claver explorers like Shackleton andScottand a handful of research scientists pull together valuable information , Antarctica has managed to avoid a great deal of human activeness face by the rest period of the reality . south-polar watersare fish , and holidaymaker cruises can visit , but this isstrictly regulatedto protect wildlife .

Sincemicroplastics – tiny particle of go against - down plastic – are showing up in everyremote cornerof the Earth , Greenpeace researcher direct to Antarctica to see if the trouble was come about there too . They took eight samples of surface water and a further nine seawater samples using a manta trawl net – a sampling gimmick that looks like a manta ray . Seven of the eight surface sampling contained microplastics , as did two of the nine other samples .

The scientists then examined Antarctica ’s snow , include that which had only just fallen . They institute chemicals get laid as per- and polyfluorinated alkylated substances ( PFASs ) in seven out of nine sample . PFASs are used in a number of industrial and consumer products – from non - stick electrocute pan to firefighting froth – and have antecedently been connected to developmental and generative issues in wildlife .

Therefore , thereportshows that even the " most remote and pristine habitats " in Antarctica   are affected by pollution .   This is a troubling discovery since it is home to a reach of unique and endangered species , like macaroni penguins , sei whales , and jet albatross .

“ We may remember of the Antarctic as a remote and pristine wilderness , but from pollution and mood change to industrial krill fishing , human beings ’s footprint is clear , ” said Frida Bengtsson of Greenpeace’sProtect the Antarcticcampaign in a program line .

“ These outcome show that even the most remote home ground of the Antarctic are contaminated with microplastic waste and unyielding hazardous chemical substance . We need action at the   source , to lay off these pollutant from terminate up in the Antarctic in the first position , and we need an Antarctic Ocean Sanctuary to give quad for penguins , whale , and the entire ecosystem to go back from the pressures they ’re facing . ”

“ We need pressing legal action from bay window and administration to stop produce the undivided - habit charge plate detail which are flowing into our seas , ” added John Hocevar , ocean campaign manager for Greenpeace USA .

To aid tackle the problem , Greenpeaceis campaigningfor anAntarctic Ocean Sanctuary , which would cross 1,800 square klick ( 695,000 square miles ) and be the biggest protect orbit on the satellite . It ’s being declare oneself by the EU and a decisiveness on whether it will be created will be made in October at the Antarctic Ocean Commission meeting .