Small MICROplastics (<100 um) bioindicaToRs in the changing ArctiC EnviRonment (MICROTRACER), Field survey report: August 28th - September 26th, 2022

The Arctic Ocean is undergoing several transformations in relation to global climate change. Small microplastics (SMPs) or nanoplastics (NPs) carried by marine aerosol may settle in the land ice and be released to inland waters with ice melting. As sea ice extent reduces, MPs may enter the region following ocean transport and increasing shipping and fishing activities with implications on Arctic biota, human health, and socioeconomic issues related to the exploitation of marine resources. First analyses on amphipods collected in Ny-Ålesund confirmed the presence of SMPs. Nevertheless, the threat posed by SMPs/NPs to polar biota and regional human health is not fully understood. The Arctic marine environment supports productive food webs, vulnerable to pollutants and pathogens; multiple antibiotic-resistant bacteria have been found in Arctic regions. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria, pathogens, and pollutants (e.g., SMPs/NPs) can affect wildlife and humans with severe socioeconomic consequences and costs. The research activities will be structured into 7 main work packages (WP). -WP1 Project Coordination; -WP2 Sampling of biota and sediments in different sites of the Ny-Ålesund area (e.g., sites at Kongsfjorden, sites at Krossfjorden, and Ny-Ålesund). At least two common Arctic marine species of Gammaridae, Amphipoda, and other invertebrate species will be sampled; -WP3 Small MPs and NPs in biota and sediments; -WP4 MPs-associated microbiota and pathogens; -WP5 Chemical characterization of biota and sediments and pollutants on MPs; -WP 6 Biomarkers application; -WP7 Dissemination.