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A published study shows the presence of traces of microplastics near the summit of Everest, probably coming from the teams of hundreds of climbers which reach the top of the world every year.
Fluorescent-colored tents, abandoned mountaineering gear, empty oxygen tanks, and even a field of frozen droppings long ago on the slopes of the mountain 8,848 meters high, which earned it the nickname “the largest landfill in the world”.
But the first microplastics study on Everest, conducted in 2019 by scientists on a Perpetual Planet campaign expedition National Geographic and Rolex, shows that this material can be found up to 8,840 meters, albeit with higher concentrations in the base camp located at 5,364 meters.
The results of the study were published on November 20 in the environmental journal One Land.
“The samples indicated significant amounts of fiber from polyester, acrylic, nylon and polypropylene“writes in a statement Imogen Napper, researcher at the British University of Plymouth and this is one of the National Geographic award-winning explorers.
“I was really surprised to find microplastics in each of the snow samples I analyzed,” he continues. “Mount Everest is a place that I have always considered remote and untouched (…) knowing that we are pollutant near the top of the highest mountain it’s really enlightening. “
The clothes used by climbers on Everest It is mainly made of synthetic fabrics. Tents, climbing ropes and other equipment also use this material.
“We strongly suspect it these types of objects are an important source of contaminationinstead of things like food and drink containers, “says the researcher.
The study also mentions the possibility that microplastics reach Everest coming from elsewhere driven by strong Himalayan winds.
They were also found microplastics in mountain streams, but with concentrations lower than those found in snow.
From: AFP
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