We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
A pilot study about microplastics and mesoplastics in an Antarctic glacier
AI summary Read the abstract
In a pilot study, plastic particles including microplastics were detected for the first time on an Antarctic glacier, suggesting that atmospheric transport can deliver plastic pollution to even the most remote glacial environments.
Abstract. Plastics have been found in several compartments in Antarctica. However, there is currently no evidence of their presence on Antarctic glaciers. Our pilot study investigated plastic occurrence on two ice surfaces (one area around Uruguay Lake and another one around Ionosferico Lake) that constitute part of the ablation zone of Collins Glacier (King George Island, Antarctica). Our results showed that expanded polystyrene (EPS) was ubiquitous, ranging from 0.17 to 0.33 items m−2, whereas polyester was found only on the ice surface around Uruguay Lake (0.25 items m−2). Furthermore, we evaluated the daily changes in the presence of plastics in these areas in the absence of rainfall to clarify the role of the wind in their transport. We registered an atmospheric dry deposition rate between 0.08 items m−2 d−1 on the ice surface around Uruguay Lake and 0.17 items m−2 d−1 on the ice surface around Ionosferico Lake. Our pilot study is the first report of plastic pollution presence on an Antarctic glacier, possibly originated from local current and past activities and likely deposited by wind transport.
More Papers Like This
Chemical Analysis of Organic Aerosol Particles and Nanoplastics Deposited on Alpine Glaciers
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers collected samples from alpine glaciers and detected nanoplastic particles alongside organic aerosols, finding that glaciers act as depositories for atmospheric plastic contamination. Nanoplastics were present even in these remote, high-altitude environments far from industrial sources. The findings contribute to understanding long-range atmospheric transport of plastic pollution to pristine environments.
Spatial distribution of microplastic contamination on alpine glaciers
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers examined microplastic contamination in supraglacial debris from 13 glaciers across the Alps in Italy, France, Switzerland, and Austria, collecting 70 surface samples between 2020 and 2022. They found putative microplastics in every sample with a mean of 14 items per sample, with one glacier showing significantly higher anthropogenic particle concentrations than others, consistent with atmospheric transport as the primary input mechanism.
Spatial distribution of microplastic contamination on alpine glaciers
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers characterized microplastic contamination in the supraglacial debris of 13 Alpine glaciers spanning Italy, France, Switzerland, and Austria, collecting 70 debris samples to investigate atmospheric deposition as the primary mechanism by which microplastics reach these remote high-altitude environments.
Brief communication: Atmospheric dry deposition of microplastics and mesoplastics in an Antarctic glacier: The case of the expanded polystyrene
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers reported the first detection of expanded polystyrene (EPS) on the surface of a glacier in Antarctica, with concentrations in the range of 0.17-0.33 items per square meter. This confirms that atmospheric transport is carrying plastic pollution to even the most remote polar environments.
First evidence of microplastics in Antarctic snow
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers collected snow samples from 19 sites across Antarctica's Ross Island region and found microplastics in every sample, confirming that synthetic polymer particles have reached even this most remote environment. The findings show that atmospheric transport has delivered microplastics to pristine Antarctic snow far from any plastic sources.
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.