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Microplastics in snow from protected areas in Hokkaido, the northern island of Japan
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Researchers sampled snow from protected natural areas in Hokkaido, Japan, and found microplastics in all samples. Fibers and fragments were the most common particle types, suggesting airborne particles traveled to this remote region before being deposited with snowfall. The findings show that even protected ecosystems are not immune to atmospheric microplastic deposition.
Abstract Snowfall is regarded as a carrier of airborne microplastics (MPs). Deposited snow can function as a temporary reservoir for atmospheric MPs. Nevertheless, knowledge and understanding of microplastics in snow remain sparse. This study investigates the abundance, composition, size, and shape of microplastics in snow specimens from various nature preservation areas and also from urban sites in Hokkaido. Various polymeric-type microplastics with mostly fragment shapes were detected among the specimens. Results demonstrated that MP abundance generally decreases concomitantly with increasing remoteness of sampling sites. Observed features of microplastics at different locations and their relation to geographical settings have indicated that the ubiquitously observed fine particles (mainly alkyd, ethylene-vinyl acetate, and polyethylene) are attributable to long-distance atmospheric transportation, while the rubber and larger particles especially found near highways and cities are from local sources of plastic.
More Papers Like This
Microplastics in snow from protected areas in Hokkaido, the northern island of Japan
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found microplastics in snow samples from protected nature areas and urban sites across Hokkaido, Japan, with over half of particles smaller than 60 micrometers, confirming that snowfall acts as a carrier depositing airborne microplastics even in remote locations.
Microplastics in the snow cover of the south of Western Siberia
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Researchers detected microplastics in snow samples from the south of Western Siberia, Russia, confirming that atmospheric deposition is a significant pathway for microplastic entry into remote terrestrial environments. Fibers were the most common form found, likely originating from textiles.
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Researchers collected and analyzed snow samples from the Inner Mongolia Plateau in China, finding microplastics in every sample at concentrations up to 199 particles per liter — with plastic fibers being the most common type. The presence of microplastics in remote snowfields also altered the local microbial communities in the snow, suggesting airborne microplastics are reaching and disrupting ecosystems far from human activity.
Blown to the North?: microplastic in snow fallen out from the atmosphere of Europe and the Arctic
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Researchers detected microplastics in snow collected across Arctic and European locations, providing evidence that the atmosphere transports microplastics over long distances and deposits them in remote environments far from human activity.
First evidence of microplastics in Antarctic snow
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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.