Plastic pollution affects every ecosystem of the planet. It has been shown that tiny plastic particles (defined as microplastics when they reach a size of 5 mm or below), especially those of low density, can be transported through the air over distances up to several thousands of kilometres, reaching even the most remote regions. High mountain ranges and the poles are no exception, where microplastics can eventually deposit through wet (rainfall, snowfall) or dry deposition. The UN Nations has declared 2025 as the International Year of Glaciers' Preservation, with the aim to protect these sensitive ecosystems from the effects of global threats, mainly from the current climate change. Microplastics could pose an added climatic threat to these ecosystems. Similar to other snow impurities, such as mineral dust or black carbon, plastic particles have the potential to absorb solar radiation, eventually decreasing snow albedo. They could further yield economic losses in certain areas that rely on these ecosystems for basic needs or recreational activities.
In this session, we welcome contributions from field, laboratory and modelling studies reporting plastic (including macro-, meso- micro- and nanoplastic) pollution in the Cryosphere, or their potential impacts in the short and long-term. Studies can include, but are not limited to:
• Sampling and analysis of micro- and nanoplastics in polar and non-polar cryospheric regions,
• New sampling or analytical techniques aimed to standardisation;
• Approaches to determine potential sources of plastic pollution to these areas;
• The interaction between atmospheric micro- and nano-plastic and the Cryosphere
• Plastic degradation studies;
• Studies reporting changes in the physical properties of snow related to plastic pollution;
• Biological impacts of plastics in the cryosphere;
• Socio-economic impacts of plastics in cryospheric regions;
• Mitigation strategies to reduce plastic pollution.