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Event-Scale Deposition of Atmospheric Microplastics in Snowfall of the Sierra Nevada in North America
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Researchers measured microplastic levels in snow across the Sierra Nevada mountains over six months, finding higher amounts near human activity than in remote areas. Wind-pattern modeling suggested nearby farms, suburbs, and local sources contributed to the microplastics falling in snow.
Abstract Atmospheric deposition of microplastics (MPs) at an event-scale resolution can be measured in snowfall events, as snow scavenges atmospheric MPs and the snowpack serves as a repository for MP accumulation. We monitored MP deposition in freshly fallen snow, the snowpack, and dry deposition over the course of 6 months in the Sierra Nevada of North America. Average microplastic concentrations in fresh snow ranged from 11.8 to 37.5 p/L at remote sites, which were significantly less than the 68.3 to 92.9 p/L MP concentrations found at the anthropogenically impacted site. Average bulk deposition rates were estimated to be 267 to 3190 p/m2/day at remote sites, significantly lower than the 3242 to 7480 p/m2/day at the anthropogenically impacted site. HYSPLIT back-trajectory modeling characterized the potential regional transport of MPs from upwind regions that were predominantly agricultural and suburban areas, as well as localized anthropogenic activities that could significantly affect MP deposition rates in snowfall. This study introduces high-throughput FTIR analysis methods with a highlight on fiber spectroscopy, demonstrates the value of estimating MP fluxes at the meteorological event scale, reports MP deposition rates in a critical water resource, and provides a basis for future long-term atmospheric MP monitoring.
More Papers Like This
Event-Scale Deposition of Atmospheric Microplastics in the Snow of the Sierra Nevada, USA
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Scientists found tiny plastic particles (microplastics) falling from the air and collecting in snow in California's Sierra Nevada mountains, even during single storm events. This matters because it shows microplastics are traveling through the atmosphere and settling in remote, seemingly pristine places far from cities, meaning the water we drink from snowmelt, and the air we breathe, may carry more plastic contamination than we realized.
Event-Scale Deposition of Atmospheric Microplastics in the Snow of the Sierra Nevada, USA
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists studying snow in California's Sierra Nevada mountains found that tiny plastic particles (microplastics) are falling from the sky and landing in even remote, high-elevation areas, not just cities. This suggests these plastic bits are traveling long distances through the air and settling into places we might assume are pristine, like mountain snowpack that eventually melts into our water supply. While this study focused on tracking how these particles accumulate rather than testing health effects, it adds to growing evidence that microplastics are essentially everywhere in our environment, including places tied to drinking water sources.
Exploring microplastic distribution in Western North American snow
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This study measured microplastic presence in snowfall across 11 sites along the western coastal North American range to infer atmospheric transport patterns. Microplastics were detected at all sites, with concentrations and polymer types reflecting regional emission sources and long-range atmospheric transport.
Microplastics captured by snowfall: A study in Northern Iran
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Fresh snow samples collected from 29 locations across urban and remote regions of northern Iran were analyzed for microplastics after a period of sustained snowfall, finding plastic particles at concentrations ranging from undetected to high levels depending on location. The study demonstrates that snowfall acts as an atmospheric scavenging mechanism for airborne microplastics and that urban areas show substantially higher deposition than remote sites.
Analysis of small microparticles from snow in Park City, Utah (USA): How much of it is plastic?
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Researchers collected fresh snow from ski areas in Park City, Utah and found microplastic concentrations ranging from 30 to 4,000 particles per 50 mL sample, with surprisingly high concentrations even at remote high-altitude sites far from direct human activity. The findings demonstrate that atmospheric transport can carry microplastics to pristine mountain snowpack, highlighting their pervasive environmental reach.
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.