Microplastics in snow of a high mountain national park: El Teide, Tenerife (Canary Islands, Spain)

A first-of-its-kind study reveals microplastics (MPs) in snow samples from El Teide National Park, Tenerife, a high-altitude protected area on an insular territory. Analysis of 63 snow samples, collected after two storm episodes in January-February 2021, showed significant differences in MP concentrations between pristine areas and those with previous anthropogenic activity—averaging 51 ± 72 items/L in pristine zones versus 167 ± 104 and 188 ± 164 items/L in accessible and climbing areas, respectively. MPs were predominantly microfibers (250-750 μm length), primarily cellulosic (62.7%), polyester (20.9%), and acrylic (6.3%). The findings suggest atmospheric transport and local human activities as potential sources of these contaminants, highlighting the pervasive nature of MP pollution even in remote, high-altitude ecosystems.

Villanova-Solano, C., Hernández-Sánchez, C., Díaz-Peña, F. J., González-Sálamo, J., González-Pleiter, M., & Hernández-Borges, J. (2023). Microplastics in snow of a high mountain national park: El Teide, Tenerife (Canary Islands, Spain). Science of the Total Environment, 873, 162276. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162276