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Microplastic contamination in high-altitude glacier lakes in Northern Anatolia
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Researchers investigated microplastic contamination in eight high-altitude glacier lakes in northeastern Turkey and found plastic particles in both surface water and sediments at every site. The most common polymer types identified were polyethylene terephthalate and polyethylene, with concentrations varying significantly between lakes. The findings demonstrate that microplastic pollution has reached even remote mountain ecosystems far from major population centers.
Microplastic (MP) pollution remains a growing global concern for aquatic ecosystems, including remote environments. In this study, we investigated the presence, distribution, and composition of MPs in surface water and sediment of eight high-altitude glacier lakes located in the Kaçkar and Keşiş Mountains, the northeastern part of Türkiye. For surface water samples, MP abundance ranged from 0.2 to 1.6 MP/L, with the highest concentration observed at Aygır Lake (S2). For sediment samples, MP abundance ranged from 13 to 121 MP/kg, with the highest concentration observed at Balık Lake (S1). Statistical analysis indicated significant spatial variations in microplastic abundance across the lakes. Five different polymer types were identified: polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyamide (PA), and polystyrene (PS). Fibers were the dominant shape in water samples, comprising up to 70%, and fragments were the most common shape observed in sediment samples. Although the Pollution Load Index (PLI) indicated a low level of microplastic contamination across the sampling stations, the Polymer Risk Index (PRI) revealed a high to dangerous level of ecological risk due to the presence of hazardous polymer types. Our findings indicate that contamination caused by local human activities, such as summer tourism, camping, animal husbandry in nearby grasslands, and mountaineering, serves as a significant source of MPs in the study area. To reduce MP pollution in high-altitude glacier lakes, it is essential to implement long-term monitoring programs that track not only human activities but also airborne contamination and deficiencies in waste management.
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Microplastic assessment in remote and high mountain lakes of Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan
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Researchers assessed microplastic contamination in eight remote, high-altitude lakes in the mountains of northern Pakistan, finding plastic particles in both water and sediment at all locations. Despite the lakes being far from major population centers, microplastics were present at measurable levels, likely transported by wind and water from lower elevations. The contamination of these pristine mountain lakes is concerning because they serve as water sources for local communities.
First insights into plastic and microplastic occurrence in biotic and abiotic compartments, and snow from a high-mountain lake (Carnic Alps)
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This study provided first data on plastic and microplastic occurrence in both biotic and abiotic samples from high-mountain lakes on the Tibetan Plateau, one of the most remote freshwater ecosystems on Earth. Plastics larger than 5 mm and microplastics were found in lake water and biota, demonstrating that even pristine high-altitude freshwater systems are not free from plastic contamination.
Microplastic pollution in the surface waters of Italian Subalpine Lakes
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Surface water samples from Italian subalpine lakes were found to contain microplastics, including fibers and fragments, at concentrations suggesting atmospheric deposition and local tourism as contributing sources. The study extends microplastic monitoring to high-altitude freshwater lakes, showing that even remote mountain water bodies are affected by plastic pollution.
Microplastics in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau lakes, China
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Researchers surveyed microplastic pollution in lakes across two major Chinese plateaus and found contamination even in these remote, high-altitude environments. Lakes near more human activity (Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau) had significantly higher microplastic levels than the more remote Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, with sewage, agriculture, and fishing being the main sources. The study shows that microplastic pollution reaches even supposedly pristine environments, largely through human activity and atmospheric transport.
Spatial characteristics of microplastics in the high-altitude area on the Tibetan Plateau
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Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination across water bodies and sediments on the Tibetan Plateau, one of the most remote high-altitude regions on Earth, and found microplastics in every sample tested. Contamination levels were highest in turbid rivers and agricultural channels, and decreased at higher altitudes where there is less human activity. The study highlights that even remote, high-altitude areas are not free from microplastic pollution.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.