Microplastic in snow from European and Arctic sites

We analysed microplastic and fibers in snow samples from ice floes in the Fram Strait (2016/17) and from Spitsbergen, Helgoland, Bremen, Bavaria and the Swiss Alps (2018) to assess the role of atmospheric transport of microplastic to the North. Identification of particles was carried out without pre-treatment of samples. MPs were identified by Fourier-Transform Infrared Imaging in 20 of 21 samples. The MP concentration of Arctic was significantly lower (0-14.4 × 103 N L-1) than European snow (0.19-154 × 103 N L-1) but still substantial. Polymer composition varied strongly, but varnish, rubber, polyethylene and polyamide dominated overall. Most particles were in the smallest size range with no saturation, implying that there are yet smaller particles beyond the current detection limit of 11 µm. All samples contained fibers but the proportion of microplastic fibers is uncertain as fibers could not be analysed with the current methodology.