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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to First evidence of microplastic deposition in snow from Turkey
ClearA first assessment of microplastic contamination in the snow of Ankara, Turkey
Fresh snow samples from three areas of Ankara, Turkey all contained microplastics, averaging about 60 particles per liter, with polyethylene, polystyrene, and polypropylene as the most common polymer types. Fragments dominated, but the variety of small particle shapes suggested long-range atmospheric transport and fragmentation during transit. The study adds Turkey to the growing list of countries where snow — an atmospheric archive — reveals that microplastics are being dispersed globally through the air.
Microplastics captured by snowfall: A study in Northern Iran
Fresh snow samples collected from 29 locations across urban and remote regions of northern Iran were analyzed for microplastics after a period of sustained snowfall, finding plastic particles at concentrations ranging from undetected to high levels depending on location. The study demonstrates that snowfall acts as an atmospheric scavenging mechanism for airborne microplastics and that urban areas show substantially higher deposition than remote sites.
Microplastic contamination in snow of a high mountain: A case study from Uludağ National Park, Türkiye
Snow samples from a ski resort in Uludağ National Park, Turkey contained microplastics at concentrations up to 370 micrograms per liter, with PET fibers dominating and the highest concentrations found in deeper, older snow layers. The study implicates winter tourism and synthetic ski apparel as sources of microplastic contamination in mountain snowpack, which feeds freshwater systems downstream.
On the nature and sources of microplastics (MPs) and microrubbers (MRs) in urban snow
Researchers characterized microplastics and microrubber particles found in urban snowfall across five sites in central Iran. Using microscopy and atmospheric trajectory modeling, they determined that both local sources and long-range atmospheric transport contributed to the contamination. The study demonstrates that snow acts as a collector of airborne microplastic pollution and can reveal the mix of nearby and distant pollution sources affecting a region.
Microplastics in snow from protected areas in Hokkaido, the northern island of Japan
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.
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.
Snow as an indicator of atmospheric transport of anthropogenic particles (microplastics and microfibers) from urban to Arctic regions
Researchers collected snow samples from urban Toronto, remote regions of the Yukon and Northwest Territories, and the unpopulated high Arctic to track atmospheric transport of microplastics. They found anthropogenic particles, including microplastics and microfibers, present in snow across all locations, with concentrations decreasing from urban to Arctic areas. The study provides evidence that microplastics are transported long distances through the atmosphere and deposited even in the most remote regions of the planet.
Microplastic pollution in the surface water and sediments from Kallar Kahar wetland, Pakistan: occurrence, distribution, and characterization by ATR-FTIR
Researchers analyzed the composition and abundance of microplastics in snow samples from Antarctica, the Pyrenees, and urban Europe, finding particles at all sites including the most remote. Polyester fibers were universal, reinforcing the role of long-range atmospheric transport.
Analysis of small microparticles from snow in Park City, Utah (USA): How much of it is plastic?
Researchers collected fresh snow from ski areas in Park City, Utah and found microplastic concentrations ranging from 30 to 4,000 particles per 50 mL sample, with surprisingly high concentrations even at remote high-altitude sites far from direct human activity. The findings demonstrate that atmospheric transport can carry microplastics to pristine mountain snowpack, highlighting their pervasive environmental reach.
Microplastics in snow from protected areas in Hokkaido, the northern island of Japan
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.
Analysis of small microparticles from snow in Park City, Utah (USA): How much of it is plastic?
Fresh snow samples from ski areas in Park City, Utah contained 1,000–4,000 small microparticles per 50 mL, with a mix of synthetic polymers (nylon, polyester, PVC, polyethylene) and natural fibers, and—surprisingly—higher concentrations at a more remote, higher-altitude site than at lower-elevation resort areas. The results suggest that atmospheric deposition is carrying microplastics to mountain snowpack regardless of local human activity, and that concentrations at the high-altitude site have increased over the study period. Snow is an important reservoir and transport medium for microplastics, and mountain snowmelt may be delivering these particles into downstream watersheds.
Exploring microplastic distribution in Western North American snow
This study measured microplastic presence in snowfall across 11 sites along the western coastal North American range to infer atmospheric transport patterns. Microplastics were detected at all sites, with concentrations and polymer types reflecting regional emission sources and long-range atmospheric transport.
First evidence of microplastics in Antarctic snow
Researchers collected snow samples from 19 sites across the Ross Island region of Antarctica and found microplastics in every sample, at an average concentration of 29 particles per liter. Fibers were the most common particle type, with polyethylene terephthalate (PET) identified as the predominant polymer. This study provides the first evidence that airborne microplastics have reached Antarctic snow, demonstrating the truly global extent of microplastic pollution.
White and wonderful? Microplastics prevail in snow from the Alps to the Arctic
Microplastics were detected in 20 of 21 snow samples ranging from Arctic sea ice to Alpine and German urban environments, with concentrations significantly higher in European snow (up to 154,000 particles/L) than Arctic snow, and varnish, rubber, polyethylene, and polyamide as dominant polymers. The study confirms atmospheric transport as a major pathway for delivering microplastics to remote Arctic environments.
Freshly fallen snow with full of microplastics: A scientific research in Riga central and peripheral area, Latvia.
Researchers sampled freshly fallen snow at six locations around Riga, Latvia, and detected microplastics at all sites using µFTIR imaging, demonstrating that atmospheric deposition carries plastic particles across both urban and more rural areas of the city.
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.
Atmospheric microplastics in the Arctic Region: An examination of deposited and suspended atmospheric microplastics in Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard
Researchers measured atmospheric microplastic deposition and suspension in Ny-Alesund, Svalbard, finding microplastics in both deposited and airborne samples from this remote High Arctic location and characterizing dominant polymer types and potential source regions.
First evidence of microplastics in Antarctic snow
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.
Characteristics and Influencing Factors of Microplastics in Snow in the Inner Mongolia Plateau, China
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.
The utility of monitoring snow for microplastics in the Arctic: a pilot study from Iqaluktuuttiaq, Nunavut
Researchers collected Arctic snow samples at increasing distances from the community of Iqaluktuuttiaq, Nunavut, finding microplastics at every location using pyrolysis–GC/MS analysis. Polymer types differed between sites close to the community and more remote sites, suggesting both local human activity and long-range atmospheric transport contribute to contamination. The findings support using snow as a low-cost monitoring tool to track how microplastics reach even remote polar regions.
A review of microplastics pollution and its remediation methods: Current scenario and future aspects
Researchers measured microplastic concentrations in atmospheric deposition at remote mountain sites in the Pyrenees, detecting an average of 365 particles per square meter per day. The findings confirm long-range atmospheric transport of microplastics far from pollution sources.
Synthetic fibers in atmospheric fallout: A source of microplastics in the environment?
Researchers found synthetic fibers in atmospheric fallout collected across a study region, demonstrating that airborne transport is a pathway for microplastic fiber deposition even in areas distant from direct plastic sources.
Particles of synthetic polymers in fresh snow in the northwest of the Kola peninsula in 2020–2021
Researchers analyzed fresh snow samples collected along and away from highways in the northwest Kola Peninsula between December 2020 and April 2021 for the presence of synthetic polymer particles absorbed from the atmosphere by snow crystals. The study detected microplastic particles in snow from both roadside and remote locations, confirming atmospheric deposition of synthetic polymers in a subarctic region and identifying traffic as a contributing but not exclusive source.
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.