We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Papers
61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Preliminary investigations on microplastic and microfiber pollution in NW Italian Alps glaciers
ClearPreliminary investigations on microplastic and microfiber pollution in NW Italian Alps glaciers
Researchers conducted preliminary investigations of microplastic and microfiber contamination in four glaciers of the NW Italian Alps — Mont Gelé, Indren, Whimper, and Rutor — collecting samples at multiple depths to capture temporal deposition trends. Using H2O2 pretreatment and microscopy with image analysis, they found microplastics and microfibers in all samples with concentrations increasing at smaller particle sizes.
Spatial distribution of microplastic contamination on alpine glaciers
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.
Spatial distribution of microplastic contamination on alpine glaciers
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.
Microplastic contamination of supraglacial debris differs among glaciers with different anthropic pressures
Researchers found that microplastic contamination in supraglacial debris varied significantly among three glaciers in the Italian Alps, with levels correlating to proximity of human activity and tourism pressure, confirming that anthropogenic influence shapes microplastic deposition even in remote high-mountain environments.
Microplastic pollution in mountain terrains and foothills: A review on source, extraction, and distribution of microplastics in remote areas
This review examines microplastic pollution in mountain terrains and foothills, finding that atmospheric transport and tourism are major sources, with snow samples containing the highest concentrations compared to streams or ice cores.
Microplastic and Fibre Contamination in a Remote Mountain Lake in Switzerland
Researchers investigated microplastic and fiber contamination in a remote, uninhabited alpine lake in Switzerland (Sassolo), finding that even this isolated high-altitude environment contained microplastics, indicating long-range atmospheric transport.
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 in Snow from Western Italian Alps
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.
Microplastic pollution in the surface waters of Italian Subalpine Lakes
Surface water samples from Italian subalpine lakes were found to contain microplastics, including fibers and fragments, at concentrations suggesting atmospheric deposition and local tourism as contributing sources. The study extends microplastic monitoring to high-altitude freshwater lakes, showing that even remote mountain water bodies are affected by plastic pollution.
Investigating microplastic transport in remote ecosystems: High-mountain lakes of the western alps
Researchers investigated microplastic transport to and accumulation in high-mountain lakes in remote ecosystems, using atmospheric deposition measurements and lake sediment analysis. Even at elevations above human habitation, microplastics were deposited from the atmosphere, with concentrations tracking regional air circulation patterns.
Fine microplastics and nanoplastics in particulate matter samples from a high alpine environment
This study detected fine microplastics and nanoplastics in atmospheric particulate matter collected from a high alpine site in the Alps. The findings confirm that even remote mountain environments receive plastic pollution through the atmosphere, adding to evidence of global airborne plastic transport.
Microplastic and microfibre pollution in Greenland: a preliminary study
Researchers conducted preliminary investigations of microplastic and microfiber pollution in Greenland glaciers, collecting samples along a route used by the Extreme E electric racing series and characterizing particles using microscopy with and without UV light following hydrogen peroxide pretreatment. The study provides early baseline data on micropollutant contamination in a remote Arctic environment, where atmospheric transport is the primary delivery mechanism.
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.
Current status and future perspectives of microplastic pollution in typical cryospheric regions
This review summarizes microplastic contamination across cryospheric regions including the Arctic, Antarctic, Alps, and Tibetan Plateau, highlighting atmospheric transport as a key pathway and sea ice as an important temporary reservoir for microplastics.
Microplastics in glaciers of the Tibetan Plateau: Evidence for the long-range transport of microplastics
Researchers discovered microplastics in glaciers on the Tibetan Plateau, one of the most remote regions on Earth. The presence of plastic particles at such high altitudes and far from population centers provides strong evidence that microplastics can travel long distances through the atmosphere, making this a truly global pollution problem.
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.
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.
Microplastics in Himalayan Glaciers: A Comprehensive Study of recent findings on characteristics and potential source
Researchers collected surface snow samples from western and central Himalayan glaciers to assess microplastic contamination, identifying polyamide, polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene particles predominantly smaller than 100 micrometers. Air mass trajectory analysis indicated that the microplastics are transported to these remote glaciers through long-range atmospheric pathways. The study raises concerns about the environmental integrity of Himalayan freshwater reserves and the potential impact of microplastic accumulation on glacier health.
A pilot study about microplastics and mesoplastics in an Antarctic glacier
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.
Nanoplastics transport to the remote, high-altitude Alps
Researchers measured nanoplastic concentrations in snow at a remote Alpine observatory over 3,100 meters above sea level, finding an average of 46.5 nanograms per milliliter of melted snow. The dominant plastic types detected were polypropylene and polyethylene terephthalate, with air transport modeling tracing their origins to European urban areas. The study demonstrates that nanoplastics can travel long distances through the atmosphere and accumulate even in pristine high-altitude environments.
Microplastics intrude into the Tibetan Plateau
This conference abstract reports on microplastic contamination in glaciers on the Tibetan Plateau, showing that atmospheric deposition is carrying plastic particles to one of the world's most remote and high-altitude environments. Melting glaciers could release these stored microplastics into downstream freshwater systems.
Microplastics in a remote lake basin of the Tibetan Plateau: Impacts of atmospheric transport and glacial melting
Researchers investigated microplastic contamination in a remote Tibetan Plateau lake basin, finding that both atmospheric transport via rainfall and glacial melting contribute microplastics to this pristine environment, with concentrations increasing in glacial meltwater areas.
Airborne microplastics in urban, rural and wildland environments on the Tibetan Plateau
Researchers measured airborne microplastic concentrations across urban, rural, and remote wildland sites on the Tibetan Plateau and found microplastics present at all locations, even in pristine high-altitude environments. Urban areas had the highest concentrations, but the presence of microplastics in remote wilderness areas demonstrates long-range atmospheric transport. The study provides some of the first data on airborne microplastic pollution in one of the world's most isolated high-mountain regions.
A review of microplastic contamination in the cryosphere
This review synthesizes current knowledge on microplastic occurrence, sources, and transport in cryospheric environments including Antarctica, the Arctic, and high-altitude regions like the Andes and Alps. Microplastics reach these remote areas primarily via atmospheric and hydrological transport, accumulate in snow and ice as temporary sinks, and are released during melt events — threatening downstream ecosystems.