## 3 Results
### Occurrence of Small Micro- and Nanoparticles in Antarctica  
Our findings demonstrated the presence of small microplastics and nanoparticles related to anthropic activities, mostly detected in the area facing Terra Nova Bay, where four scientific research stations are active, namely, Mario Zucchelli Station (74\({}^{\circ}\)41\({}^{\prime}\)45\({}^{\prime\prime}\) S, 164\({}^{\circ}\)6\({}^{\prime}\)20\({}^{\prime\prime}\) E), Jang Bogo Station (74\({}^{\circ}\)37\({}^{\prime}\)27\({}^{\prime\prime}\) S, 164\({}^{\circ}\)13\({}^{\prime}\)32\({}^{\prime\prime}\) E), Gondwana Station (74\({}^{\circ}\)38\({}^{\prime}\)7\({}^{\prime\prime}\) S, 164\({}^{\circ}\)13\({}^{\prime}\)18\({}^{\prime\prime}\) E), and Qinling Station (74\({}^{\circ}\)52\({}^{\prime}\)15\({}^{\prime\prime}\) S, 163\({}^{\circ}\)99\({}^{\prime}\)50\({}^{\prime\prime}\) E). By contrast, only nanoparticles composed of elements typical of the crustal surface were detected in Cape Phillips, located about 250 km NE from the previously mentioned research stations. Unfortunately, due to the reduced number of samples, no distribution studies or comparative analyses considering different sampling periods could be performed. Nevertheless, this study adds valuable knowledge to the field of environmental contamination and its potential sources in Antarctica, a region with unique ecological significance. Previous studies highlighted the presence of major crustal components and trace metals having an anthropogenic origin in Antarctica. [PERSON] et al. analyzed dissolved and particulate phases in samples from Terra Nova Bay, Talos Dome, and Dome Concordia [6; 7], highlighting higher enrichment factors of anthropogenic elements, namely, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, and Zn. [PERSON] et al. analyzed size-segregated aerosol samples collected in different areas of Terra Nova Bay, quantifying major and trace elements, as well as the lead isotopic composition, to better understand their origin and transportation pathways [48]. The  
Figure 9: The Raman spectra of PEVA: the experimental spectrum (blue) vs. the spectrum stored in the PublicSpectra open Raman spectral database (yellow). major elements, e.g., Al, Co, Fe, and Mn, were mainly related to crustal sources, whereas the marine contribution was significant for Li, Mg, and Na. An anthropogenic impact was demonstrated for Cr, Cu, Mo, and Pb; the analysis of lead isotope ratios confirmed both natural and anthropogenic inputs, with the long-range transport of polluted aerosols from South America and Australia. [PERSON] et al. (2019) investigated the distribution and source pathways of metals in surface snow from ice-free and ice-covered areas along a coast-to-inland transect in the Ingrid Christensen Coast, East Antarctica. Samples collected in the coastal areas showed higher concentrations of marine elements (Na, Ca, Mg, K, Li, and Sr), as well as Al, Fe, Mn, V, Cr, and Zn, compared to inland sites. In agreement with the above-mentioned studies, Zn, Cu, Mo, Cd, As, Se, Sb, and Pb were highly enriched compared to known natural sources, thus suggesting their anthropogenic origin. [PERSON] et al. (2019) investigated the presence of heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, and As) associated with high-molecular-weight compounds in samples collected during the austral summer in 2005-2006 in Concordia Station (Dome C) along a trench having a 4 m depth. An increased metal concentration was obtained at a depth of 2.0-2.5 m, highlighting the formation of complexes between organic matter and heavy metals, thus resulting in the transportation of contaminants within the ice cores. Recently, [PERSON] et al. published a review summarizing the occurrence of heavy metals in Antarctica and their remediation solutions ([PERSON] et al., 2019). The impacts of these compounds on the environment, ecosystems, and human health were also extensively described. It was observed that elements play a fundamental role in the biological processes of phytoplankton populations, impacting the whole marine ecosystem ([PERSON] et al., 2019; [PERSON] et al., 2019).