A groundbreaking study led by researchers from the University of Bristol and published in *Nature Communications* has shed new light on the Transpolar Drift, a powerful surface current in the Arctic Ocean. This current plays a crucial role in transporting sea ice, freshwater, sediments, and dissolved matter including pollutants from Siberian rivers across the Arctic to the Fram Strait, between Greenland and Svalbard.

The study found that the behavior of the Transpolar Drift is far more variable than previously understood and is extremely sensitive to changes in climate. With the Arctic warming at nearly four times the global average, the flow and strength of this current are shifting, which could dramatically alter the pathways of materials through the region.
One major concern is the accelerated movement of human-made pollutants such as microplastics, heavy metals, and organic contaminants into more remote and vulnerable parts of the Arctic ecosystem. As these materials spread more rapidly due to changing currents, they threaten wildlife, indigenous communities, and global climate feedback systems.

The research emphasizes the urgent need for better monitoring and understanding of Arctic ocean currents, especially as climate change continues to reshape one of the planet’s most sensitive and important regions.

Source: Environmental News Network