Papers

20 results
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Article Tier 2

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.

2022 112 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau lakes, China

Researchers surveyed microplastic pollution in lakes across two major Chinese plateaus and found contamination even in these remote, high-altitude environments. Lakes near more human activity (Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau) had significantly higher microplastic levels than the more remote Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, with sewage, agriculture, and fishing being the main sources. The study shows that microplastic pollution reaches even supposedly pristine environments, largely through human activity and atmospheric transport.

2024 The Science of The Total Environment 35 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic pollution in surface water and sediments of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau: Current status and causes

A survey of microplastic pollution across rivers and lakes on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau found surface water concentrations averaging 856 items/m³ and sediment concentrations averaging 362 items/m², with river sediments more contaminated than lake sediments and domestic wastewater and tourism identified as primary sources.

2021 China Geology 29 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in a Remote Lake Basin of the Tibetan Plateau: Impacts of Atmospheric Transport and Glacial Melting

Microplastics were found in a remote Tibetan Plateau lake basin and the researchers identified both long-range atmospheric transport and glacial meltwater as delivery pathways, with meltwater becoming an increasingly significant release mechanism as climate-driven glacier retreat accelerates.

2021 Environmental Science & Technology 97 citations
Article Tier 2

Distribution of microplastics in benthic sediments of Qinghai Lake on the Tibetan Plateau, China

Researchers mapped the distribution of microplastics in the bottom sediments of Qinghai Lake on the Tibetan Plateau, sampling from shore to center. The study found microplastics throughout the lake sediments even in this remote, high-altitude location, with abundance patterns influenced by factors such as tourism activity and water currents rather than simply decreasing from shore to center.

2022 The Science of The Total Environment 47 citations
Article Tier 2

Distribution and potential sources of microplastics in sediments in remote lakes of Tibet, China

Researchers assessed microplastic contamination in sediments from 12 remote lakes on the Tibetan Plateau in China, an area with minimal human activity. Despite the isolation, they found between 17 and 2,644 microplastic particles per kilogram of dried sediment, levels considered high compared to some other freshwater systems. The findings suggest that long-range atmospheric transport and limited local sources like tourism contribute to microplastic pollution even in some of Earth's most remote environments.

2021 The Science of The Total Environment 108 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2023 Environment International 59 citations
Article Tier 2

Heterogenization of microplastic communities in lakes of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau driven by tourism and transport activities

Researchers surveyed microplastic pollution in lakes across the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and found that tourism and transportation activities were the primary drivers of contamination differences between sites. Lakes near tourist attractions had significantly higher and more diverse microplastic communities than remote lakes. The study demonstrates that human activity is introducing heterogeneous microplastic pollution even into high-altitude plateau ecosystems.

2024 Journal of Hazardous Materials 14 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2026 Journal of Hazardous Materials
Article Tier 2

Microplastic pollution of lakeshore sediments from remote lakes in Tibet plateau, China

Researchers sampled lakeshore sediments from remote lakes on the Tibetan Plateau, one of the least populated regions on Earth, and found microplastic contamination at every site. The most common plastics identified were polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, and polyethylene, likely transported by atmospheric processes from distant sources. The findings demonstrate that microplastic pollution has reached even the most isolated environments on the planet.

2016 Environmental Pollution 606 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic assessment in remote and high mountain lakes of Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan

Researchers assessed microplastic contamination in eight remote, high-altitude lakes in the mountains of northern Pakistan, finding plastic particles in both water and sediment at all locations. Despite the lakes being far from major population centers, microplastics were present at measurable levels, likely transported by wind and water from lower elevations. The contamination of these pristine mountain lakes is concerning because they serve as water sources for local communities.

2024 Chemosphere 11 citations
Article Tier 2

Spatial 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.

2021 Journal of Hazardous Materials 104 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics Footprints in a High-Altitude Basin of the Tibetan Plateau, China

Microplastics were detected in surface waters and sediments of a remote high-altitude basin on the Tibetan Plateau, with fibers as the dominant type and atmospheric deposition identified as the likely primary transport pathway to this pristine area far from direct human activity.

2021 Water 13 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2020 4 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

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.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Alpine ponds as overlooked hotspots of microplastic hazards: Evidence from the Eastern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination in alpine ponds on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau across zones of varying human activity, finding ubiquitous microplastic pollution (up to 594 items/L in water) that directly correlated with anthropogenic pressure, identifying high-altitude ponds as overlooked microplastic hotspots.

2025 Environmental Pollution
Article Tier 2

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.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

High-mountain lakes as indicators of microplastic pollution: current and future perspectives

This review assessed microplastic pollution in high-mountain lakes, finding these remote ecosystems serve as valuable indicators of atmospheric microplastic transport and global contamination patterns despite limited research to date.

2022 37 citations
Article Tier 2

Remote alpine lakes and microplastic contamination: Insights from sediment analysis of lake cadagno

Researchers analyzed sediment cores from remote alpine lakes for microplastic contamination, finding evidence of long-range atmospheric transport delivering particles to these isolated high-altitude ecosystems. Microplastic concentrations in the sediments increased over time, mirroring historical trends in global plastic production.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)