A Royal Navy icebreaker, HMS Protector, has become the unlikely stage for critical research into the impact of plastic waste on Antarctica, highlighting the alarming extent to which human activity is infiltrating one of the world’s last great wildernesses.
Onboard, scientists from the University of Portsmouth, led by Dr Keiron Roberts and Dr Adele Julier, have been conducting groundbreaking research into pollution damage in the region.
The findings will add to global efforts to preserve this fragile ecosystem as a treaty to tackle plastic pollution gains momentum.
The Growing Plastic Crisis
The United Nations estimates that over eight million metric tonnes of plastic enter the oceans annually, threatening marine life and ecosystems worldwide. Antarctica, long thought to be largely untouched by this pollution, is proving to be no exception.
Dr Roberts, a senior lecturer in sustainability, used drones to survey the Antarctic coastline, identifying areas where litter had washed ashore. Water samples and marine sediments were also collected to measure the impact of microplastics and human activity—particularly tourism—on this isolated continent.
“Coming from a navy family, being on board HMS Protector has been a bucket-list experience,” Dr Roberts said. “Without the crew of HMS Protector, this valuable data would not be possible to collect. With their help, we are now building an evidence base of the impacts that humans are having in the region, particularly microplastics, and hope to continue this work with them moving forward.”
Pollen Studies and Climate Change
Meanwhile, Dr Adele Julier, a senior lecturer and palaeoecologist, focused on collecting pollen samples from the air and mosses to better understand how climate and weather changes are shaping Antarctica’s environment.
“Setting pollen slides around the ship and counting pollen every day at a microscope in the warfare room has been a surreal and fascinating experience,” Dr Julier said. “The crew have all been so welcoming and friendly, and have put up admirably with me getting way too excited about finding moss.”
A Critical Mission in the Antarctic
HMS Protector, with her distinctive red and white livery, has been hard at work as part of Operation Austral, her annual Antarctic deployment. The Plymouth-based icebreaker has carried out hydrographic surveys, delivered vital supplies, and supported international scientific collaboration—all while navigating some of the most challenging waters on Earth.
The ship recently completed surveys at Yankee Harbour on Greenwich Island, part of the South Shetlands, updating charts for the UK Hydrographic Office. Accompanied by colonies of gentoo penguins and seals, the crew landed ashore, observing the very wildlife their mission seeks to protect.
Further surveys were conducted near the British Antarctic Survey base at Rothera, where the ship delivered 140 tonnes of aviation fuel for aircraft specially adapted to the region’s harsh climate. The sailors also embraced Christmas Day in Antarctica, joining in the station’s Park Run.
International Collaboration and Environmental Stewardship
The mission also took HMS Protector to Peruvian and Brazilian Antarctic bases, promoting international cooperation under the Antarctic Treaty System. The ship plays a key role in the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR), which aims to safeguard marine ecosystems.
“During my time onboard, we have conducted three hydrographic surveys,” said Helen Lankester of the UK Hydrographic Office. “My experience in processing the data collected by the ship has helped train the HM specialists currently drafted to HMS Protector.”
An Unforgettable Experience for the Crew
For the ship’s crew, the voyage through breathtaking Antarctic landscapes, including the Lemaire Channel, has been awe-inspiring. Encounters with wildlife such as humpback whales, orcas, chinstrap penguins, and seals have made the deployment unforgettable.
“Going to the Antarctic has been an amazing experience for me,” said Able Seaman Freddie Fisher. “I’ve enjoyed going through the Lemaire Channel and taking in the unbelievable icebergs that tower over the ship. The wildlife has also been a highlight, from spotting seals to taking selfies with penguins.”
A Vital Mission for the Future
As HMS Protector heads for Punta Arenas, Chile, to prepare for the next phase of her deployment, the critical data collected by scientists onboard will return to Portsmouth for analysis. The findings are expected to contribute significantly to global discussions on plastic pollution and climate change.
The mission underscores the Royal Navy’s commitment to environmental stewardship and the global effort to protect Antarctica, proving that even in the remotest regions of the world, human impact cannot be ignored.
Source: Royal Navy
