Physical geography

Precipitation

Environmental chemistry

Oceanography

Geomorphology

Geology

Meteorology

Chemistry

Snow

Geography

Microplastics

Sediment

The arctic

Environmental science

Arctic

Deposition (geology)

Atmospheric sciences

Science Advances

Microplastics (MPs) are ubiquitous, and considerable quantities prevail even in the Arctic; however, there are large knowledge gaps regarding pathways to the North. To assess whether atmospheric transport plays a role, we analyzed snow samples from ice floes in Fram Strait. For comparison, we investigated snow samples from remote (Swiss Alps) and populated (Bremen, Bavaria) European sites. MPs were identified by Fourier transform infrared imaging in 20 of 21 samples. The MP concentration of Arctic snow was significantly lower (0 to 14.4 × 103 N liter-1) than European snow (0.19 × 103 to 154 × 103 N liter-1) but still substantial. Polymer composition varied strongly, but varnish, rubber, polyethylene, and polyamide dominated overall. Most particles were in the smallest size range indicating large numbers of particles below the detection limit of 11 μm. Our data highlight that atmospheric transport and deposition can be notable pathways for MPs meriting more research.

White and wonderful? Microplastics prevail in snow from the Alps to the Arctic.