The Expedition
Nov 2023 - Jan 2024
Assembled a team of expert adventurers and scientists to complete the most comprehensive study ever of micro and nonoplastics in any remote region
Conducted a 60-day expedition from Hercules Inlet to the Geographic South Pole and covered a total of 715 miles.
Manually transported 250kgs of equipment and supplies up to 12 hours a day for two months
Survived persistent cold and wind with temperatures as low as -30C.
Persisted from sea level to psysiological altitudes of 10,000+ ft (~3350m)
Collected 52 snow samples in total.
Undertook significant life science studies on human performance in hostile environments
Sample Collection
Internationally, the research field has struggled to find an appropriate technique to measure micro and nano plastics. LDEO at Columbia developed a sensitive Raman spectroscopic method that, for the first time, allows scientists to characterise concentrations and types of micro and nano plastics in bottled and tap water, receiving press in over 400 media channels in early 2024.
During the Antarctica expedition, three types of snow samples were collected by Alan’s team (about 470mL of surface snow), five short snow cores every 10 days and five field blank samples about 300ft upwind of their sleep sites.
A stainless-steel spoon cleaned by nearby snow at depth was used for the collection. The 475mL of snow is about 166g, and the tin container is about 66g, this the daily sample weight is 232g.
For the whole trip, the weight of samples sourced were approx 12kg.
Pre-Expedition Testing
Ice was ground into fine powders and used as an analogue for snow. Wearing leather gloves, containers were opened and closed to ensure ease of operation in the field. Containers filled with ice powders were placed on a shaking machine to ensure their durability under cold weather. A leakage test was arranged, and appropriate tape selected to seal the containers. LDEO scientists trained Alan on how to collect samples carefully to avoid contamination. The containers (including caps), were sterilised by being pre-combusted at 450°C overnight to ensure no plastics are present in the containers. Capped containers sealed in LDEO’s clean-room facility and mailed to Alan.
Lab Analysis
Upon arrival to LDEO, the samples were immediately placed in the -20°C cold room until analysis. Snow core samples sectioned every 2cm. The samples were then melted at room temperature, oxidised, filtered, and analysed using advanced Raman spectroscopy.
Data Analysis
After lab work, data will be analysed to compare the type, level and spatial distribution of micro and nanoplastics along the path. Their levels within the final 10km to the South Pole will be used to determine the impact of activities at the South Pole. The type and level of micro and nano plastics along the depth (0 to 12cm) of the cores will be compared. The flux of micro and nano plastics will be estimated based on the snow accumulation rate data provided by a Lamont glaciologist.
Findings are expected to be released in late 2024.
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