Occurrence of anthropogenic microparticles in soils of teide national park

A groundbreaking study reveals the presence of microplastics and other anthropogenic microparticles in the soils of Teide National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its pristine alpine environment. Despite strict protective measures and its remote location, the park exhibits pollution levels ranging from 0 to approximately 1500 items per kilogram of dry soil, with colourless cellulosic microfibres being the most prevalent. The research, conducted through systematic sampling of 78 soil samples across the park's surface, employed a rigorous protocol involving sequential digestion, flotation, and filtration, followed by stereomicroscopic identification and micro Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis to determine the chemical nature of the particles. This discovery underscores that even remote, protected areas are not immune to human-induced pollution, challenging the notion of their pristine status.

Álvarez-Méndez, S. J., Díaz-Peña, F. J., Gómez-Escabia, S., González-Sálamo, J., & Hernández Borges, J. (2024). Occurrence of anthropogenic microparticles in soils of teide national park. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/ZENODO.18387274