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20 resultsShowing papers similar to Analysis of microplastics in soils on the high-altitude area of the Tibetan Plateau: Multiple environmental factors
ClearSpatial characteristics of microplastics in the high-altitude area on the Tibetan Plateau
Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination across water bodies and sediments on the Tibetan Plateau, one of the most remote high-altitude regions on Earth, and found microplastics in every sample tested. Contamination levels were highest in turbid rivers and agricultural channels, and decreased at higher altitudes where there is less human activity. The study highlights that even remote, high-altitude areas are not free from microplastic pollution.
Pollution and Distribution of Microplastics in Grassland Soils of Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, China
Researchers collected and analyzed 22 grassland soil samples from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and found microplastics present in every sample, with an average abundance of 1,202 particles per kilogram. Polyethylene terephthalate was the dominant polymer type, and most particles were in the 10-50 micrometer size range. The findings demonstrate that microplastic contamination reaches even remote, high-altitude grassland environments far from major population centers.
The occurrence and effect of altitude on microplastics distribution in agricultural soils of Qinghai Province, northwest China
Microplastic distribution was investigated in agricultural soils of Qinghai Province at different altitudes, finding that altitude influenced microplastic characteristics and abundance, with lower-altitude agricultural areas showing higher contamination from plastic film use.
Occurrence characteristics and ecological impact of agricultural soil microplastics in the Qinghai Tibetan Plateau, China
Researchers investigated microplastic pollution in agricultural soils on the Qinghai Tibetan Plateau in China, a remote area with low population density. They found microplastic concentrations ranging from about 17 to 950 particles per kilogram, with polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, and polyethylene being the most common types. The study suggests that facility-based agriculture significantly increases soil microplastic levels, and nearly half of the areas assessed showed relatively high polymer risk.
The occurrence of microplastics in farmland and grassland soils in the Qinghai-Tibet plateau: Different land use and mulching time in facility agriculture
Researchers investigated microplastic contamination in farmland and grassland soils on the remote Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in China. The study found an average of about 50 microplastic particles per kilogram of soil, with plastic film and polyester being the most common types. Notably, longer use of plastic mulch in farming was linked to higher microplastic levels, suggesting that agricultural plastic use is a key source of soil contamination even in remote regions.
Microplastic characteristic in the soil across the Tibetan Plateau
Researchers systematically investigated microplastic pollution across the Tibetan Plateau, finding widespread contamination averaging 47 items per kilogram of soil, with fibers predominating and concentrations influenced by proximity to human activities.
Analysis of microplastics in a remote region of the Tibetan Plateau: Implications for natural environmental response to human activities
Researchers analyzed microplastic contamination in a remote region of the Tibetan Plateau and found plastic particles in surface water, sediment, and soil even in this sparsely populated area. Tourism was identified as the primary source of water contamination, while agriculture and historical industrial activity contributed to soil pollution. The study demonstrates that microplastic pollution from human activities extends even to some of the most remote environments on Earth.
An integrated evaluation of potentially toxic elements and microplastics in the highland soils of the northeastern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau
Researchers conducted the first integrated assessment of toxic elements and microplastics in grassland and farmland soils on the northeastern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. They found microplastic abundances ranging from 200 to over 3,600 particles per kilogram, with polypropylene dominating in grasslands and polyethylene in farmlands. The study reveals that even remote highland ecosystems on the Tibetan Plateau are not immune to microplastic contamination.
Driving factors of the distribution of microplastics in the surface soil of the typical uninhabited and habited areas in the Qinghai–Tibet plateau, China
A large survey across the remote Qinghai-Tibet Plateau found microplastics in surface soils everywhere sampled, with abundance rising near roads and residential areas and with increasing rainfall, pointing to both traffic and atmospheric transport as key delivery pathways. Different regions had different dominant sources — traffic emissions in some areas, household activity in others — suggesting that pollution control strategies need to be tailored locally rather than applied uniformly. Even this high-altitude, supposedly pristine region is significantly contaminated, highlighting the truly global reach of microplastic pollution.
Microplastic pollution characteristics and its future perspectives in the Tibetan Plateau
Researchers reviewed microplastic pollution on the Tibetan Plateau, one of the most remote places on Earth, and found plastic particles in rivers, lakes, soil, snow, and even the atmosphere near Mount Everest. While concentrations are lower than in populated areas, the presence of microplastics in such a remote region shows how far these pollutants can travel through air and water currents. The findings underscore that microplastic contamination is truly a global problem with no pristine environments left untouched.
Microplastics in plateau agricultural areas: Spatial changes reveal their source and distribution characteristics
This study mapped microplastic distribution in agricultural areas on the Tibetan Plateau to understand where contamination comes from and how it spreads. Researchers found that microplastic levels varied significantly across locations, with agricultural practices like plastic mulch film use being a primary source. The findings suggest that even remote high-altitude regions are not immune to microplastic pollution.
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.
New insights into the distribution, potential source and risk of microplastics in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau
Researchers surveyed microplastic pollution across the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, one of the world's most remote regions, and found contamination in water, sediment, and soil samples. Water samples had the highest concentrations, averaging over 7,000 particles per cubic meter. The presence of microplastics even in this isolated high-altitude environment shows how far plastic pollution has spread globally.
Land-use patterns determine the distribution of soil microplastics in typical agricultural areas on the eastern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau
Researchers found that land-use patterns strongly determine microplastic distribution in agricultural soils on the eastern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, with facility agriculture and farmland soils containing significantly higher microplastic abundance than grassland and orchard soils.
Accumulation characteristics and source analysis of microplastics derived traffic of soil in the Tibetan Plateau
Researchers analyzed microplastic contamination in soil along a highway on the Tibetan Plateau and found an average of about 2,248 particles per kilogram, with most particles smaller than 100 micrometers. The microplastics came from multiple traffic-related sources, including tire wear and road markings. The study shows that even remote, high-altitude areas are accumulating microplastics from transportation infrastructure, and the small particle sizes found pose particular environmental and health risks.
A multivariate analysis of microplastics in soils along the headwaters of Yangtze river on the Tibetan Plateau
Researchers analyzed microplastic contamination in soils along the headwaters of the Yangtze River on the Tibetan Plateau. The study found average concentrations of 64 to 89 items per kilogram, with polyethylene films being the most common type, and statistical modeling indicated that population density was the primary driver of microplastic accumulation in these remote highland soils.
Driving factors and sources of microplastics in soils in the Yellow River source area
Researchers investigated microplastic contamination in soils across the remote Yellow River source region on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. They found that even in this sparsely populated area, microplastics were present at an average of about 75 particles per kilogram of soil, primarily from tourism, traffic, and grazing activities. The study reveals that human activities introduce microplastics to even the most remote plateau environments, with roadside dust and atmospheric transport being major pathways.
Microplastic convergence in high-altitude lakes of the Tibetan Plateau: Mechanisms, indicators, and risk stratification
Researchers assessed microplastic pollution in 14 high-altitude freshwater lakes above 4,500 meters on the Tibetan Plateau, a region far from major human activity. Microplastics were detected at every site, with PET as the dominant polymer type, suggesting long-range atmospheric transport and local textile sources. The study developed a geospatial risk model showing that precipitation, surface runoff, and proximity to roads are key factors driving microplastic accumulation even in these remote environments.
Effects of polyethylene microplastics on soil microbial assembly and ecosystem multifunctionality in the remote mountain: Altitude matters
Researchers studied how polyethylene microplastics affect soil microbial communities and ecosystem functions at different altitudes on Changbai Mountain in China. They found that the effects of microplastics varied significantly with altitude, enhancing bacterial diversity in some zones while disrupting key nutrient cycling processes in others. The study demonstrates that even remote mountain ecosystems are not immune to the ecological impacts of microplastic contamination.
Environmental fate of microplastics in high-altitude basins: the insights into the Yarlung Tsangpo River Basin
Researchers mapped microplastic pollution across the Yarlung Tsangpo River Basin in Tibet, finding contamination in water, sediment, and soil even in remote high-altitude areas. Below 4,000 meters, human activity was the main source, while above 4,500 meters, microplastics arrived through the atmosphere. The study shows that microplastic pollution has reached some of Earth's most remote regions, meaning no freshwater source is truly free from contamination.