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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Microplastics in the Himalayan environment: a review of sources, atmospheric inputs, and subsurface pathways
ClearMicroplastics 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.
Microplastic pollution in the Himalayas: Occurrence, distribution, accumulation and environmental impacts
This review documents microplastic contamination throughout the Himalayan region, from mountain glaciers and rivers to remote high-altitude locations. Microplastics reach these areas through wind, precipitation, tourism waste, and river transport, and can become trapped in glacial ice before being released during snowmelt. The findings show that even one of the most remote places on Earth is not free from microplastic pollution, with implications for the billions of people who depend on Himalayan rivers for drinking water.
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.
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.
Plastic Waste in the Himalayan Range: Issues and Solutions
This review examines plastic waste and microplastic accumulation in Himalayan mountain ecosystems, including lakes, ponds, and wetlands, documenting the sources and deposition pathways of fine microplastic particles in one of the world's most remote mountain ranges.
Microplastic pollution in Himalayan lakes: assessment, risks, and sustainable remediation strategies
This review examines microplastic contamination in ecologically sensitive Himalayan lakes, where pollution enters through tourism, glacier melt, and atmospheric deposition. Researchers found that these remote high-altitude ecosystems face growing contamination but are severely understudied due to harsh conditions and logistical challenges. The study evaluates remediation strategies including nanotechnology-based solutions and highlights the need for more research on microplastic behavior in these isolated freshwater systems.
Deciphering the impact of microplastics (MPs) on Himalayan agricultural soils: Current knowledge and future perspectives
This review synthesized the first comprehensive assessment of microplastic contamination in Himalayan agricultural soils, covering sources, transport mechanisms, and ecological effects. The authors found that mulch films, sludge, and atmospheric deposition are major inputs, and that freeze-thaw and snowmelt cycles redistribute plastics in ways that amplify co-contaminant risks.
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.
Microplastic Pollution in Mountain Environments
This review examines microplastic pollution in mountain environments, documenting evidence that plastic particles smaller than 5 mm have infiltrated even remote high-altitude ecosystems, posing contamination challenges far from urban and industrial sources.
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.
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.
Human Activities Increased Microplastics Contamination in the Himalaya Mountains
Researchers investigated microplastic pollution in the high Himalaya mountains and found that human activities such as tourism and trekking significantly increased contamination levels. Samples collected from trails and settlements showed higher microplastic concentrations compared to more remote areas. The findings demonstrate that even some of the most remote places on Earth are affected by microplastic pollution from human presence.
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.
Microplastics in Precipitation: Analyzing Altitudinal Influence on Atmospheric Deposition Patterns
Researchers found an inverse relationship between altitude and microplastic deposition in Central Himalayan precipitation, collecting rainfall and snowfall across eight sites from 445 m to 3,378 m elevation and characterizing microplastics by concentration, size distribution, and polymer composition.
High levels of microplastic and nanoplastic contamination in birds from remote Himalayan forests
This study quantified microplastic and nanoplastic contamination in birds from remote Himalayan forests, finding that even in this pristine environment, birds carry measurable plastic burdens in their tissues. The results confirm that plastic pollution is entering high-altitude Himalayan food webs, likely through atmospheric transport.
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.
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.
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.
Microplastics in the himalayan glaciers: a looming environmental threat
This review summarized evidence for microplastic contamination in Himalayan glaciers and discussed the implications for the freshwater resources these glaciers supply to millions of people. Microplastic accumulation in glacial ice represents a time-delayed release of pollution into downstream water systems as glaciers melt.
Analysis of microplastics in soils on the high-altitude area of the Tibetan Plateau: Multiple environmental factors
Researchers analyzed microplastic contamination in soils across different land use types on the high-altitude Tibetan Plateau, a remote and sparsely populated region. The study found that microplastic abundance varied with land use, altitude, meteorological conditions, and distance from roads, with greenhouse soils showing the highest concentrations, indicating that even remote high-altitude environments are not free from microplastic pollution.
Atmospheric deposition of microplastics in an urban conglomerate near to the foothills of Indian Himalayas: Investigating the quantity, chemical character, possible sources and transport mechanisms
Scientists measured microplastic fallout from the air near the foothills of the Indian Himalayas and found an average of over 2,200 particles landing per square meter per day. Levels spiked during the Diwali festival, suggesting that human activities significantly increase airborne microplastic pollution. The findings show that even areas near remote mountain regions receive substantial microplastic deposits from the atmosphere, which people in those communities inhale.
Occurrence of microplastics in the headwaters of Yellow River on the Tibetan Plateau: Source analysis and ecological risk assessment
Researchers documented microplastic contamination in the headwaters of the Yellow River on the Tibetan Plateau, a remote area often considered pristine. They found polypropylene and polyester particles to be the most common types, with sources linked to both local human activities and atmospheric transport. The study suggests that even remote high-altitude ecosystems are not immune to microplastic pollution and face associated ecological risks.
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.
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.