Microplastics in Glaciers: First Results from the Vatnajökull Ice Cap

• Published in: Sustainability
• Main Authors: Hlynur Stefánsson, Mark Peternell, Matthias Konrad-Schmolke, Hrafnhildur Hannesdóttir, Einar Jón Ásbjörnsson, Erik Sturkell
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021
• Subjects: microplastics; glacier; snow; ice; µ-Raman spectroscopy; atmospheric transport; Environmental effects of industries and plants; TD194-195; Renewable energy sources; TJ807-830; Environmental sciences; GE1-350; Vatnajökull; Ice cap; Iceland
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.3390/su13084183; https://doaj.org/article/403b180b0e074414b413397bab5c5b87

Microplastic particles, as a second-phase material in ice, may contribute to the effect such particles have on the melting and rheological behaviour of glaciers, and thus influence the future meltwater contribution to the oceans and rising sea levels. Hence, it is of the utmost importance to map and understand the presence and dispersal of microplastics on a global scale. In this work, we identified microplastic particles in snow cores collected in a remote and pristine location on the Vatnajökull ice cap in Iceland. Utilising optical microscopy and µ-Raman spectroscopy, we visualised and identified microplastic particles of various sizes and materials. Our findings support that atmospheric transport of microplastic particles is one of the important pathways for microplastic pollution.