We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Analysis of small microparticles from snow in Park City, Utah (USA): How much of it is plastic?
AI summary Read the abstract
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.
Fresh snow samples (50mL) were collected from 3 sites in the ski area and from 2 sites in the ski resort, all exposed to different levels of traffic of people. We performed epifluorescence imaging to detect small microplastics that are comprised between 1-100microns in size. Small microparticles concentrations ranged from 1,000-4,000/50mL in the ski resort, whereas these numbers ranged from 30 to 3,000/50mL in the ski area. Against expectations, the higher and most remote site contained the greatest concentrations of microparticles, which increased over the years for each site, as a possible sign to degrading air quality. As for microfibers concentrations, they ranged from 100 to 3,000/50mL in the ski resort while these numbers were lower in the ski areas, ranging from 5 to 300/50mL. These ranges remain similar across years for microfibers in the ski area as these concentrations in the snow seem to be dictated by the amount of snow fall. All the sites showed a percentage of different polymers, such as cotton (23%) and lyocell (20%), but also a variety of synthetic polymers, such as cellulose acetate (11%), nylon (11%), polyester and polyethylene terephthalate (11%), PVC (10%), polyethylene (8%), and tire wear rubber crumb (6%). In most cases, the small microparticles and microfibers were discolored in bright field (but they were seen in fluorescence) and showing weathered surface in scanning electron microscopy, suggesting their far-away source.
More Papers Like This
Analysis of small microparticles from snow in Park City, Utah (USA): How much of it is plastic?
AI summary Read the abstract
Fresh snow samples from ski areas in Park City, Utah contained 1,000–4,000 small microparticles per 50 mL, with a mix of synthetic polymers (nylon, polyester, PVC, polyethylene) and natural fibers, and—surprisingly—higher concentrations at a more remote, higher-altitude site than at lower-elevation resort areas. The results suggest that atmospheric deposition is carrying microplastics to mountain snowpack regardless of local human activity, and that concentrations at the high-altitude site have increased over the study period. Snow is an important reservoir and transport medium for microplastics, and mountain snowmelt may be delivering these particles into downstream watersheds.
Analysis of small microparticles from snow in Park City, Utah (USA): How much of it is plastic?
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists tested snow from a Utah ski resort and nearby mountains and found tiny plastic particles and fibers in every single sample — even at the highest, most remote spot, where levels were actually worse than in town. This suggests these tiny plastics are traveling through the air from far away, meaning even "pristine" snow you might ski on or that melts into drinking water supplies isn't free from plastic pollution, and levels seem to be climbing over time.
Microplastics deposited by snowfall in local and remote areas: a systematic review and Meta-analysis.
AI summary Read the abstract
Tiny plastic particles are falling from the sky with snow — even in remote, seemingly pristine places far from cities — though this analysis of 28 studies found snow near urban and industrial areas contains about six times more microplastics than snow in remote regions. This means plastic pollution isn't staying contained to obvious sources like cities or oceans; it's traveling through the atmosphere and settling into snowpack that feeds our drinking water, soil, and ecosystems, raising concerns about long-term exposure risks that scientists are still working to fully understand.
Microplastic Contamination in Snow from Western Italian Alps
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers sampled residual snow from four locations in the Western Italian Alps and confirmed the presence of microplastics at concentrations averaging 2.32 particles per liter. The study found polyethylene was the most common polymer, and the results suggest that microplastics reach remote mountain environments through atmospheric deposition and local human activities.
Does Winter Outdoor Recreational Traffic Impact Concentrations of Microplastics in Colorado's Snowpacks? International Snow Science Workshop 2026, Whistler, Canada
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists tested Colorado mountain snow for tiny plastic particles and found similar amounts whether the area had heavy ski traffic or none at all. This suggests microplastics are mainly falling from the air rather than coming from human activity, which matters since this snow eventually melts into drinking water for millions of people out West.
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.