Climber helps scientists discover nanoplastics on remote glacier

Full team: Dr. Al Gill (expedition leader), Robin Milner (technical lead), Tom Baldassari (primary medic), Richard Kay (lead climber and secondary medic), James Sisti (expedition artist). Credit: Zoe Salt (Expedition Photographer)
Imagine a glacier. Thinking about ‘sparkling snow’ or ‘plastic pollution’? New research highlights the pervasive nature of plastic pollution, even in remote and seemingly pristine areas like this.
In a new study published in Scientific Reports using a citizen science approach, scientists worked with trained mountaineers to sample surface snow in areas that would otherwise be inaccessible.
Tire wear particles in the snow
Nanoplastics were found at 5 of 14 high-altitude glacier sites, with concentrations ranging from 2 to 80 nanograms per milliliter of snow. The most common types of nanoplastics detected were tire wear particles (41%), polystyrene (28%), and polyethylene (12%).
Previous studies have also found evidence of microplastics in remote and high-altitude environments around the world. And wherever there are microplastics, there are also nanoplastics.
Additionally, atmospheric transport is already known to transport microplastics to remote areas. For nanoplastics, this may be even more important due to their small size and weight.
track backwards
One of the scientists working on the atmospheric transport of nanoplastics in this study is NILU senior researcher Nikolaos Evangeliu.
“We used a so-called Lagrangian dispersion model to simulate how nanoplastic particles move through the air to the sampling location. Therefore, the main sources of nanoplastic particles are France, Spain, It turned out to be the region west of the Alps, including Switzerland,” says Evangeliu.


Robin Milner (technical director) and Richard Kay (lead climber and second medic) prepare for sample collection at the top of the Otemma Glacier (3,000 meters) in Switzerland. Credit: Zoe Salt (Expedition Photographer)
Nanoplastics can exist ‘everywhere’
Evangeliu says it’s not surprising that nanoplastics are found in remote glaciers.
“Our findings simply indicate that micro- and nanoscale plastic pollution may be more widespread than previously assumed. These particles are so small that they can easily penetrate the atmosphere. “The potential for transport over long distances is significant and can contribute to global pollution,” he explains.
Future research will include more comprehensive sampling and analytical techniques to better understand the distribution and sources of nanoplastics.
Also worrying scientists is the presence of nanoparticles in glaciers, which could have unknown impacts on ecosystems, climate and human health, especially since they could enter water sources and food chains. It’s a possibility.


Robin Milner (technical lead) and Richard Kay (top climber and second medic) collect samples at the only remaining part of Pies Glacier. Credit: Zoe Salt (Expedition Photographer)
New research project on micro and nanoplastics
The findings prompted the launch of the Global Atmospheric Plastic Survey (GAPS). This is a research project aimed at building a definitive picture of the prevalence of micro- and nanoplastic pollution in the world’s atmosphere.
The project is one of the largest mountaineering and scientific expeditions ever undertaken, with 50 separate expedition teams collecting samples from major highlands around the world. Seven of the expeditions have already been completed, with samples collected from the Tien Shan Mountains in Central Asia, the Rwenzori Mountains between Uganda and Congo, Himrun Himal in Nepal, and teams in Antarctica.
Micro- and nanoplastic pollution is a well-known environmental problem. Extensive research has been conducted to quantify the amount of plastic released into the environment and investigate its negative effects on living organisms.
Nanoplastics do not yet have a clear definition, but they are generally defined as having at least one dimension less than 1 micrometer. The main source of nanoplastics in the environment is the decomposition of macroplastics and microplastics.
Further information: Leonie Jurkschat et al, “Using a citizen science approach to assess nanoplastic pollution in remote high-altitude glaciers,” Scientific Reports (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-84210-9
Citation: Mountaineers help scientists discover nanoplastics on remote glaciers (January 20, 2025) https://phys.org/news/2025-01-mountaineers-scientists-nanoplastics-remote-glaciers.html Retrieved January 20, 2025 from
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