We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Presence of nanoplastics in rural and remote surface waters
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers detected nanoplastics in surface waters at two contrasting sites—remote Siberian Arctic tundra and Swedish forests—confirming that nanoplastic contamination extends to rural and remote freshwater environments far from urban pollution sources.
Abstract It is now established that microplastics are a pervasive presence in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. The same is assumed to be true for nanoplastics but data are lacking due to technical difficulties associated with sample analysis. Here, we measured nanoplastics in waterbodies at two contrasting sites: remote Siberian Arctic tundra and a forest landscape in southern Sweden. Nanoplastics were detected in all sampled Swedish lakes ( n = 7) and streams ( n = 4) (mean concentration = 563 µ g l −1 ) and four polymer types were identified (polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate). In Siberia nanoplastics were detected in 7/12 sampled lakes, ponds and surface flooding, but only two polymer types were detected (PVC and polystyrene) and concentrations were lower (mean 51 µ g l −1 ). Based on back-calculation of air mass trajectories and particle dispersion, we infer that nanoplastics arrive at both sites by aerial deposition from local and regional sources. Our results suggest that nanoplastics may be a near-ubiquitous presence even in remote ecosystems.
More Papers Like This
Supplementary data to: Presence of nanoplastics in rural and remote surface waters
AI summary Read the abstract
This repository provides supplementary data for a study detecting nanoplastics in rural and remote surface waters in Sweden and Siberia, demonstrating that nanoplastic contamination extends even to locations far from urban centers.
Presence of nanoplastics in rural and remote surface waters
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers measured nanoplastics — particles smaller than a micrometer — in rural and remote surface waters, finding they are present even in areas far from urban development, suggesting that nanoplastic contamination is truly global and not confined to polluted regions.
Microplastic Pollution in the Surface Waters from Plain and Mountainous Lakes in Siberia, Russia
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers conducted the first analysis of microplastic pollution in six lakes across southern Siberia, including both mountainous and plain environments. Microplastics were detected in all lakes studied, even those in protected areas with no permanent population nearby. The findings indicate that microplastic contamination has reached remote freshwater environments in Siberia, highlighting the widespread nature of this pollution.
First Evidence of Microplastic Occurrence in the Marine and Freshwater Environments in a Remote Polar Region of the Kola Peninsula and a Correlation with Human Presence
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers documented the first evidence of microplastic contamination in both marine and freshwater environments in a remote tundra region of the Kola Peninsula near the Arctic. Microplastics were found in all water samples from the Barents Sea and nearby lakes, with concentrations correlating to the proximity of a human research station. The findings indicate that even minimal human presence in remote polar regions can contribute to local microplastic pollution.
Atmospheric contribution of nanoplastics to rural and remote surface waters
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers measured nanoplastic concentrations in rain and surface water from rural and remote locations in Europe and found that atmospheric deposition is a significant source of nanoplastics even in areas far from industrial activity. Multiple polymer types were detected using advanced mass spectrometry. The findings confirm that airborne nanoplastics are a global phenomenon reaching even pristine environments.
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.