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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Investigating the presence of nanoplastics in freshwater chironomids from glacial habitats using Raman spectroscopy
ClearMicroplastics Identification in Remote Aquatic Environments Using Raman Spectroscopy: A Case Study for Mt. Tymfi's Alpine Lake
Researchers analyzed water from a remote alpine lake on Mt. Tymfi in Greece, a pristine environment with minimal human activity, and still found microplastics at a concentration of about 0.021 particles per liter. The most common types were polyethylene fragments and PET and nylon fibers, identified using Raman spectroscopy. The presence of microplastics even in such an isolated location underscores how far-reaching plastic pollution has become, likely transported by wind and atmospheric deposition.
Microplastics in biotic and abiotic compartments of high-mountain lakes from Alps
Researchers surveyed microplastic pollution in two remote high-altitude lakes in the Italian Alps, finding plastic particles in lake sediments, tadpoles, and fish (but not in open water or zooplankton), with younger fish accumulating more microplastics than older ones — suggesting fish as useful pollution indicators even in pristine mountain environments.
Automated μFTIR Imaging Demonstrates Variability in Microplastic Ingestion by Aquatic Insects in a Remote Taiwanese Mountain Stream
Researchers used focal plane array micro-FTIR spectroscopy to characterize microplastic ingestion in aquatic insects from a high-altitude stream (~2,000 m) in a Taiwanese national park. Microplastic ingestion was detected in nearly all insect taxa examined, with polyethylene (65%) dominating and most particles smaller than 500 µm, demonstrating that MP contamination reaches even remote, low-pollution environments.
Primer reporte de microplásticos en los Andes Peruanos: el caso del Glaciar Paccha en la cordillera central, Huarochirí-Lima
Researchers report the first detection of microplastics in a tropical glacier in the Peruvian Andes, the Paccha Glacier in the central mountain range. Surface samples of snow and ice were collected and analyzed using micro-Raman spectroscopy to identify the polymer composition of suspected microparticles. The study provides evidence that plastic pollution has reached remote high-altitude ecosystems far from population centers.
First insights into plastic and microplastic occurrence in biotic and abiotic compartments, and snow from a high-mountain lake (Carnic Alps)
This study provided first data on plastic and microplastic occurrence in both biotic and abiotic samples from high-mountain lakes on the Tibetan Plateau, one of the most remote freshwater ecosystems on Earth. Plastics larger than 5 mm and microplastics were found in lake water and biota, demonstrating that even pristine high-altitude freshwater systems are not free from plastic contamination.
Microplastic contamination in high-altitude glacier lakes in Northern Anatolia
Researchers investigated microplastic contamination in eight high-altitude glacier lakes in northeastern Turkey and found plastic particles in both surface water and sediments at every site. The most common polymer types identified were polyethylene terephthalate and polyethylene, with concentrations varying significantly between lakes. The findings demonstrate that microplastic pollution has reached even remote mountain ecosystems far from major population centers.
The emerging issue of microplastics: ongoing investigation in water and sediments of subalpine lakes
This Italian study identified microplastics in subalpine lakes and characterized their polymer types and abundance, adding to evidence that microplastics have reached even remote freshwater ecosystems far from industrial centers. The findings underscore the ubiquity of plastic contamination across diverse freshwater environments.
High-Mountain Contamination: Microplastic Occurrence and Risk Assessments in Fish from Nero Lake, Italy
Microplastic occurrence and associated chemical risks were documented at high-mountain sites, finding that even remote alpine environments contain significant plastic contamination. The findings highlight the role of long-range atmospheric transport in delivering microplastics to pristine high-elevation ecosystems.
Characterization and implication of microplastics on riverine population of the River Ravi, Lahore, Pakistan
Researchers found microplastics in three commercially important freshwater fish species from the River Ravi in Pakistan, with Raman spectroscopy confirming multiple polymer types, indicating widespread contamination of riverine fish populations and potential implications for human dietary exposure in the region.
Quantifying and classifying microplastics and microparticles across aquatic heterotrophs from headwater streams in central Pennsylvania
Researchers found microparticle contamination across multiple trophic levels in remote forested headwater streams in central Pennsylvania, with secondary consumers showing the highest contamination rates and µFTIR confirming true microplastics at two of five sampling sites.
Laboratory assessment for determining microplastics in freshwater systems – characterization and identification along Somesul Mic River
Researchers applied Raman and FTIR spectroscopy alongside microscopy to characterize microplastics in water and sediment samples from the Somesul Mic River in Romania, identifying multiple polymer types and assessing which analytical methods worked best. Developing reliable, standardized laboratory methods for detecting microplastics in freshwater is essential for generating comparable data on environmental contamination levels.
Presence of Microplastics in Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera of North Cascades National Park
Researchers found microplastics in mayflies, stoneflies, and caddisflies sampled from streams in North Cascades National Park, Washington State. The results suggest that glacial meltwater may be transporting microplastics into pristine protected wilderness streams, with these insects potentially serving as vectors that move plastic particles up the food web to birds and fish.
Microplastics in the Surface Water and Gastrointestinal Tract of Salmo trutta from the Mahodand Lake, Kalam Swat in Pakistan
Researchers detected microplastics in both the surface water and gastrointestinal tracts of brown trout (Salmo trutta) from a high-altitude lake in Pakistan, demonstrating that microplastic contamination has reached remote mountain ecosystems far from urban pollution sources.
Microplastics Occurrence in the European Common Frog (Rana temporaria) from Cottian Alps (Northwest Italy)
Adult European common frogs (Rana temporaria) from high-mountain sites in the Cottian Alps of northwest Italy were found to contain plastic particles in their gastrointestinal tracts, representing one of the first records of microplastic ingestion in this species from an alpine ecosystem. The study demonstrates that plastic contamination has penetrated even remote mountain amphibian populations far from direct human plastic sources.
Microplastics in the himalayan glaciers: a looming environmental threat
This review assessed microplastic contamination detected in Himalayan glaciers, highlighting the threat these particles pose to a critical freshwater source. The presence of microplastics in such remote, high-altitude ecosystems underscores how far airborne and atmospheric transport can carry pollution.
Identification, characterization, and quantification of microplastics in water and sediments of high-altitude Himalayan Dal Lake
Scientists found tiny plastic particles called microplastics in both the water and bottom sediments of Dal Lake, a high-altitude lake in the Himalayas. This discovery is concerning because it shows plastic pollution has reached even remote mountain areas, and these microscopic plastic pieces can enter our food chain through fish and drinking water. The findings suggest that microplastic contamination is more widespread than previously thought, potentially affecting water sources that communities depend on for drinking and fishing.
Microplastics in Arctic invertebrates: status on occurrence and recommendations for future monitoring
Researchers used fluorescence microscopy and Raman spectroscopy to characterize microplastics in bottled water from 11 brands sold in China. Concentrations ranged widely across brands, with polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, and polystyrene as the most detected polymers.
Microplastic contamination in remote alpine lakes
This abstract describes the PLASTILAC project, the first research initiative focused specifically on microplastic contamination in remote alpine lakes in France. The project aims to characterize microplastic sources, degradation pathways, and ecological impacts in high-altitude freshwater environments with minimal direct human activity.
Pigments and plastic in limnetic ecosystems: A qualitative and quantitative study on microparticles of different size classes
Researchers used Raman microspectroscopy to characterize microplastic and paint particles in freshwater Lake Garda, finding that both pigmented plastic fragments and paint particles increase dramatically in abundance below 500 micrometers, and that both particle types contain toxic metals like cadmium, lead, and copper that could harm aquatic life.
Remote alpine lakes and microplastic contamination: Insights from sediment analysis of lake cadagno
Researchers investigated microplastic contamination in sediments from remote alpine lakes, environments that serve as sensitive indicators of long-range atmospheric transport and global environmental change. Microplastics were detected even in these isolated high-altitude lakes, confirming that atmospheric deposition delivers plastic particles to ecosystems far from direct human activity.
Investigating microplastic transport in remote ecosystems: High-mountain lakes of the western alps
Researchers investigated microplastic transport in high-mountain lakes in a remote region, examining how atmospheric deposition and watershed processes deliver plastic particles to these sensitive and isolated ecosystems. Microplastics were detected in lake water and sediments, confirming that long-range atmospheric transport is a significant delivery pathway to remote alpine environments.
First evidence of microplastic contamination in the supraglacial debris of an alpine glacier
Researchers documented the first evidence of microplastic contamination on an alpine glacier, finding concentrations in the supraglacial debris of Italy's Forni Glacier comparable to levels seen in European beaches and coastal sediments. The particles included polyester, polypropylene, and polyethylene from outdoor clothing and packaging. The discovery shows that microplastic pollution has reached even remote high-mountain environments.
Microplastic contamination and risk assessment in the biotic and abiotic components of freshwater Manasbal Lake, western Himalaya, India
Researchers assessed microplastic abundance and characteristics across abiotic and biotic compartments of Manasbal Lake in the western Himalayas, finding that MPs are pervasive even in remote mountain catchments and presenting risk assessment data for this understudied high-altitude freshwater ecosystem.
Microplastic contamination and risk assessment in the biotic and abiotic components of freshwater Manasbal Lake, western Himalaya, India
Researchers assessed microplastic abundance and characteristics across abiotic and biotic compartments of Manasbal Lake in the western Himalayas, finding that MPs are pervasive even in remote mountain catchments and presenting risk assessment data for this understudied high-altitude freshwater ecosystem.