Microplastics in Glaciers: First Results from the Vatnajokull Ice Cap: First results from the vatnajökull ice cap

Hlynur Stefánsson*, Mark Peternell, Matthias Konrad-Schmolke, Hrafnhildur Hannesdóttir, Einar Jón Ásbjörnsson, Erik Sturkell

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Citations (Scopus)

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.

Original languageEnglish
Article number4183
Number of pages11
JournalSustainability (Switzerland)
Volume13
Issue number8
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 9 Apr 2021

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.

Other keywords

  • Raman spectroscopy
  • atmospheric transport
  • climate change
  • glacier
  • ice
  • microplastics
  • pollution
  • snow

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