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Falling from the ceiling: first evidence of microplastic and microfibre pollution in cave dripping waters
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Researchers tested water dripping inside a cave for tiny plastic and fibre particles. Most particles found were cellulose fibres, but plastic fragments made of PET and polyurethane were also present, ranging from 0 to 23 pieces per liter. The findings suggest surface pollution, such as nearby landfills and roads, may reach underground cave water.
Microplastic (MP) pollution is a global environmental concern. Recent works highlighted the need to consider even natural and regenerated microfibres (MFs). Despite their ecological and hydrological importance, karst systems remain understudied. Being open systems, karst underground environments are particularly vulnerable to contamination through the connections with surface habitats. For the first time, this preliminary research investigated the presence of MPs and other anthropogenic microparticles (AMPs), such as MFs, in cave dripping waters, highlighting the indirect impact of surface human activity. AMPs were counted and characterized via microscopy and spectroscopy. The 80.5% of the analyzed AMPs were cellulosic and 81.6% fibres. MPs ranged from 0 to 23 MP/L, confirming the presence of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyurethane (PU), and were all fragments, except for one PET fibre. Microparticles < 1 mm were the most abundant (89.3%), of which the most had size between 0.49 and 0.10 mm (51.5%). Pollution sources in cave dripping waters could be linked to landfills in sinkholes, garbage, nearby roads, railways, and human activities. These results highlight MPs and other AMP pollution exists in cave dripping waters, impacting water resources, habitats and species. More comprehensive and multidisciplinary monitoring are needed, taking into account surface and subterranean connections in karst areas, aiming at conservation purposes. Promoting collaborations with show caves and cavers can be instrumental in pilot studies, and acquiring new and valuable data.
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The problem of anthropogenic microfibres in karst systems: Assessment of water and submerged sediments
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Researchers assessed anthropogenic microfiber contamination in karst cave systems by analyzing water and submerged sediment samples. They found that both synthetic and natural microfibres were widespread throughout the karst environments, with sediments accumulating higher concentrations than water samples. The study raises concerns about microfiber pollution reaching underground water systems that serve as important drinking water reserves.
Explorations in the dark continent: Did microplastics and microfibres get here before us?
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Researchers investigated previously unexplored caves to determine whether microplastic pollution has reached underground environments that humans have never entered. They found microplastics and microfibers present even in these pristine subterranean habitats, carried in by water flow and air currents. The findings demonstrate that microplastic contamination extends to some of Earth's most remote and isolated environments.
Quantifying anthropogenic microparticle contamination in cave sediments: spatial heterogeneity matters
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Microplastics and other anthropogenic particles were quantified in cave sediments, providing a record of atmospheric and terrestrial contamination reaching underground environments. The presence of microplastics in caves demonstrates the pervasive spread of plastic pollution into even secluded geological environments.
Microplastics in caves: A new threat in the most famous geo-heritage in the world. Analysis and comparison of Italian show caves deposits
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Italian show caves were found to contain microplastics throughout their sediments, with tourist areas having higher concentrations (average 4300 items/kg) than non-tourist areas (2570 items/kg), dominated by sub-millimeter polyester and polyolefin fibres.
Microplastic pollution in show cave sediments: First evidence and detection technique
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Microplastic particles were detected for the first time in the sediments of a show cave in Spain, establishing that caves and karst aquifers are not insulated from surface plastic pollution and that sediment deposition in these environments can archive records of microplastic contamination.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.