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Microplastics in Glaciers: First Results from the Vatnajökull Ice Cap

Author

Listed:
  • Hlynur Stefánsson

    (Department of Engineering, Reykjavik University, 102 Reykjavik, Iceland)

  • Mark Peternell

    (Department of Earth Sciences, University of Gothenburg, 41320 Gothenburg, Sweden)

  • Matthias Konrad-Schmolke

    (Department of Earth Sciences, University of Gothenburg, 41320 Gothenburg, Sweden)

  • Hrafnhildur Hannesdóttir

    (Icelandic Meteorological Office, 105 Reykjavik, Iceland)

  • Einar Jón Ásbjörnsson

    (Department of Engineering, Reykjavik University, 102 Reykjavik, Iceland)

  • Erik Sturkell

    (Department of Earth Sciences, University of Gothenburg, 41320 Gothenburg, Sweden)

Abstract

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Hlynur Stefánsson & Mark Peternell & Matthias Konrad-Schmolke & Hrafnhildur Hannesdóttir & Einar Jón Ásbjörnsson & Erik Sturkell, 2021. "Microplastics in Glaciers: First Results from the Vatnajökull Ice Cap," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-11, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:8:p:4183-:d:532825
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. N. Evangeliou & H. Grythe & Z. Klimont & C. Heyes & S. Eckhardt & S. Lopez-Aparicio & A. Stohl, 2020. "Atmospheric transport is a major pathway of microplastics to remote regions," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-11, December.
    2. Angelica Bianco & Monica Passananti, 2020. "Atmospheric Micro and Nanoplastics: An Enormous Microscopic Problem," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(18), pages 1-17, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Rakesh Kumar & Anurag Verma & Arkajyoti Shome & Rama Sinha & Srishti Sinha & Prakash Kumar Jha & Ritesh Kumar & Pawan Kumar & Shubham & Shreyas Das & Prabhakar Sharma & P. V. Vara Prasad, 2021. "Impacts of Plastic Pollution on Ecosystem Services, Sustainable Development Goals, and Need to Focus on Circular Economy and Policy Interventions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-41, September.

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