Arctic Council launches latest “Plastic in a Bottle” capsules from Greenland
The Arctic Council working group focused on the polar marine environment launched two new GPS-equipped “Plastic in a Bottle” capsules off the coast of Greenland on Friday, the latest step in its effort to raise awareness about marine litter and better understand how plastic moves through Arctic waters.
“Plastic does not belong in the ocean, and this project shines a light on the problem,” Kenneth Høegh, Chair of the Arctic Council Senior Arctic Officials, said in a statement. “I look forward to tracking the capsules’ onward journey.”
The capsules were released from two Royal Greenland trawlers — Avatoq and Kaassassuk — one in the northern part of Baffin Bay and the other in the South.
Nuuk primary school children and and high school students from the city of Sisimiut participated in the launch, and wrote messages on the capsules before send off.
GPS signals updated daily
As with previous releases, each capsule contains a solar-powered GPS transmitter that sends a position once a day.
The public can monitor the trajectories on PAME’s live online map, offering a rare real-time look at how floating debris moves through Arctic seas. When a capsule eventually washes ashore, a message inside instructs the finder on what to do and whom to contact.
Ten capsules have now been deployed since the project began.
Project born out of a knowledge gap
The Plastic in a Bottle project was launched in 2019 during the Arctic Council’s last Icelandic chairmanship, after the Protection of the Arctic Marine Environment (PAME) working group identified a major gap in understanding how plastics enter, circulate within and leave the Arctic.
While science has advanced on how winds, currents and waves transport litter worldwide, the specific dynamics of plastic in the High North remains poorly understood.
The capsule project was designed to help fill that gap by mimicking the drift of real plastic bottles.
First time capsules launched from Greenland
The Greenland deployments were organized by the Danish Environmental Protection Agency, Aarhus University, the Government of Greenland and Oceans North Kalaallit Nunaat, in collaboration with PAME. Royal Greenland financed one of the capsules.
“Marine litter, including microplastics, is an important focus area for the Kingdom of Denmark’s Arctic Council Chairship,” Høegh said.
With shipping, tourism and scientific activity increasing in the North, researchers said tracking how debris moves is becoming increasingly urgent.
One launch to date from Canada
Fisheries and Oceans Canada launched a capsule for the project in Lancaster Sound in at the beginning of September.
It has since drifted down the coast of Baffin Island and is currently traveling in the middle of Baffin Bay.
The live map of capsule trajectories is available on the PAME website.
Comments, tips or story ideas? Contact Eilís at eilis.quinn(at)cbc.ca
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Cotton fibres, microplastics pervade Eastern Arctic, study finds, The Canadian Press
Finland: Citizens’ initiative prompts Finnish lawmakers to consider microplastics ban, Yle News
Greenland: Rights must be protected after plastics talks hit stalemate in Geneva: Inuit org, Eye on the Arctic
Norway: Plastic in Arctic Norway: “I feel irritated looking at this pile of rubbish”, The Independent Barents Observer
Norway: Plastic waste has increased in the Barents Sea, study shows, The Independent Barents Observer
Sweden: Swedish raft made from trash draws attention to plastic pollution, Radio Sweden
United States: Industry launches campaign to free oceans from plastic… how serious is it?, Alaska
