White and wonderful? Microplastics prevail in snow from the Alps to the Arctic
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5212-9808, Mützel, Sophia, Primpke, Sebastian ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7633-8524, Tekman, Mine Banu ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6915-0176, Trachsel, Jürg and Gerdts, Gunnar ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0872-3927
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Microplastics (MPs) are ubiquitous, and considerable quantities prevail even in the Arctic; however, there are large knowledge gaps regarding pathways to the North. To assess whether atmospheric transport plays a role, we analyzed snow samples from ice floes in Fram Strait. For comparison, we investigated snow samples from remote (Swiss Alps) and populated (Bremen, Bavaria) European sites. MPs were identified by Fourier transform infrared imaging in 20 of 21 samples. The MP concentration of Arctic snow was significantly lower (0 to 14.4 × 103 N liter−1) than European snow (0.19 × 103 to 154 × 103 N liter−1) but still substantial. Polymer composition varied strongly, but varnish, rubber, polyethylene, and polyamide dominated overall. Most particles were in the smallest size range indicating large numbers of particles below the detection limit of 11 μm. Our data highlight that atmospheric transport and deposition can be notable pathways for MPs meriting more research.
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5212-9808, Mützel, Sophia, Primpke, Sebastian ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7633-8524, Tekman, Mine Banu ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6915-0176, Trachsel, Jürg and Gerdts, Gunnar ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0872-3927
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AWI Organizations > Biosciences > Deep Sea Ecology and Technology
Helmholtz Research Programs > PACES II (2014-2020) > TOPIC 1: Changes and regional feedbacks in Arctic and Antarctic > WP 1.6: Large scale variability and change in polar benthic biota and ecosystem functions
Helmholtz Research Programs > PACES II (2014-2020) > TOPIC 2: Fragile coasts and shelf sea > WP 2.2: Species interactions in changing and exploited coastal seas
Helmholtz Research Programs > PACES II (2014-2020) > TOPIC 2: Fragile coasts and shelf sea > WP 2.3: Evolution and adaptation to climate change and anthropogenic stress in coastal and shelf systems
Helmholtz Research Programs > PACES II (2014-2020) > TOPIC 4: Research in science-stakeholder interactions > WP 4.3: Providing information – enabling knowledge
Arctic Ocean
Arctic Ocean > Greenland Sea
Arctic Ocean > Greenland Sea > Fram Strait
European Mainland
Arctic Mainland > Svalbard
Ocean-based Stations > Hausgarten Observatory
Vessels > Polarstern
PS > 108
PS > 99
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