Melanie Bergmann1,*,†, Sophia Mützel1,†, Sebastian Primpke1, Mine B. Tekman1, Jürg Trachsel2 and Gunnar Gerdts1

1Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Am Handelshafen 12, Bremerhaven 27570, Germany.
2WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF, Flüelastrasse 11, 7260 Davos Dorf, Switzerland.

Science Advances 14 Aug 2019:
Vol. 5, no. 8, eaax1157
DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aax1157

Abstract
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.

Large gyres have small gyres
that feed on their velocity
And small gyres have micro gyres
and so on to viscosity

Unfortunately, all gyres have microbeads
and so on to a polluted planet!