Microplastics have been found in freshly fallen snow in Antarctica for the first time, which could accelerate snow and ice melting and pose a threat to the health of the continent’s unique ecosystems.

The tiny plastics – smaller than a grain of rice – have previously been found in Antarctic sea ice and surface water but this is the first time it has been reported in fresh snowfall “It’s incredibly sad but finding microplastics in fresh Antarctic snow highlights the extent of plastic pollution into even the most remote regions of the world,” Alex Aves of University of Canterbury PhD student.

People are known to inadvertently eat and breathe microplastics and another recent study found that average of 29 microplastic particles per litre of melted snow, which is higher than marine, the particles cause damage to human cells.

A study last year found that airborne microplastics are “spiraling around the globe”.