Canterbury Mornings

Huge bits of seaweed washing up at Antarctica set off alarm bells for scientists.It proves Antarctica is not as isolated from the rest of the world as previously thought.Research by a team from Otago University has found the kelp had drifted 20 thousand kilometres from the Kerguelen Islands to reach Antarctica.Professor Jon Waters told Tyler Adams it wasn't thought that stuff could actually get across barriers created by polar winds and currents.He says storms have driven this seaweed across these barriers and as a result this idea of Antarctica being isolated suddenly changes and things can get to Antarctica.Jon Waters says if things like seaweed can make it to Antarctica then things like plastic can too.