The recent study by scientists from Germany’s Alfred Wegener Institute and Switzerland’s Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research has exposed an alarming reality – microplastic particles can travel massive distances via the atmosphere. This implies that not only are our seas and oceans polluted, but also our air could be potentially harmful containing these minute pollutants.
Microplastics: The Course
Every year, numerous million tonnes of plastic refuse make their way through rivers and finally reach the oceans. Here, the marauding waves and the powerful ultraviolet radiation of the sun gradually disintegrate these large chunks of plastic into smaller fragments. These fragments, often less than five millimeters long, are referred to as microplastics.
The Journey of Microplastics into the Atmosphere
Believe it or not, these tiny fragments of plastic do not remain confined to the waters. They are uplifted into the atmosphere, thanks to the winds and thermal currents. The journey of microplastics does not stop here; they get entrapped in the clouds and are subsequently trapped by falling snow. This interplay of natural forces effectively transforms them into ‘aerial’ pollutants.
Microplastics: Found Far and Wide
What makes the findings even more concerning is that these microscopic particles of plastic have been detected in places far from human habitation – the Arctic and the Alps. For instance, samples taken from ice floes (floating sheets of ice) in the ocean between Greenland and Svalbard were found to contain an average of 1,760 microplastic particles per litre. This indicates that no corner of our world remains untouched by the effects of our reckless disposal of plastic waste.
| Location | Average Microplastics Per Litre |
|---|---|
| Greenland and Svalbard | 1760 |
| Arctic | Unknown |
| Alps | Unknown” |
The Airborne Transportation Hypothesis
The hypothesis that these microplastics can be transported by air builds upon previous research conducted on pollen. It is a well-established fact that pollen travels great distances and has been found in places as far off as the Arctic. The theory thus suggests that if frail pollen particles could make such long journeys, hardy microplastics definitely have the ‘requisite’ properties to be globally omnipresent airborne pollutants.
Conclusion
The study poses important questions about the impact of such distant airborne plastic pollution on remote locations and its larger implications for the global environment. Thus, it is crucial to deepen our understanding of microplastic transportation and its potential effects.
Source: TH