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Environmental Pollution
Article . 2019 . Peer-reviewed
License: Elsevier TDM
Data sources: Crossref
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First evidence of microplastic contamination in the supraglacial debris of an alpine glacier

Authors: Ambrosini R.; Azzoni R. S.; Pittino F.; Diolaiuti G.; Franzetti A.; Parolini M.;

First evidence of microplastic contamination in the supraglacial debris of an alpine glacier

Abstract

Contamination by plastic debris has been documented in most regions of the world, but their occurrence in high mountain areas has not been investigated to date. Here we present the first report of the occurrence and amount of microplastic in any terrestrial glacier environment. In the supraglacial debris of the Forni Glacier (Italian Alps), we observed the occurrence of (mean ± standard error) 74.4 ± 28.3 items kg-1 of sediment (dry weight). This amount is within the range of variability of microplastic contamination observed in marine and coastal sediments in Europe. Most plastic items were made by polyesters, followed by polyamide, polyethylene and polypropylene. We estimated that the whole ablation area of Forni Glacier should host 131-162 million plastic items. Microplastic can be released directly into high elevation areas by human activities in the mountain or be transported by wind to high altitude. The occurrence of microplastic on Forni Glacier may be due to the gathering of debris coming from the large accumulation area into the relatively smaller ablation area of the glacier, as a consequence of its flow and melting.

Country
Italy
Keywords

Alpine glacier; Microplastics; Mountain areas; Supraglacial debris;, Alpine glacier; Microplastics; Mountain areas; Supraglacial debris; Europe; Plastics; Polyethylene; Waste Products; Water Pollutants, Chemical; Wind; Environmental Monitoring; Ice Cover, Europe, Waste Products, Polyethylene, Ice Cover, Wind, Plastics, Water Pollutants, Chemical, Environmental Monitoring

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selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
304
Top 0.1%
Top 1%
Top 0.1%
Green