μ-FTIR Analysis Research Articles

Pervasive Microplastic Ingestion by Commercial Fish Species from a Natural Lagoon Environment

Microplastics have emerged as a significant global environmental concern in the recent decade. The aim of this study was to elucidate microplastic contamination of commercial fish species in a natural lagoon environment. Microplastic contamination was examined in the gastrointestinal tracts and gills of 157 commercial fish from 18 species with varying feeding habits in a vital and sensitive lagoon ecosystem, which connects to the Indian ocean. Microplastics were extracted using digestion, followed by stereomicroscopic inspection using Nile Red stain, and identified via μ-FTIR analysis. Over half of studied fishes ingested microplastics (54.14%). Filaments (50%) and blue items (43%) were the most commonly ingested. Of all the fish species, Eubleekeria splendens had the highest average concentration of microplastics in GIT (1.41 ± 2.52 items/g w.w. tissues), although no statistically significant difference in amount of ingested microplastics (items/g w.w. tissues) was observed among species. The highest concentrations of inhaled microplastics were recorded in Sillago vincenti (1.38 ± 1.30 items/g w.w. tissues). The majority of the extracted microplastics (33%) belonged in the size class 500–1500 μm with rayon, polyethylene terephthalate, and polypropylene as the primary polymers. This study found no correlation between microplastic ingestion and fish species and feeding habits, but a positive correlation with fish size was observed. These findings reveal widespread microplastic contamination in edible fish, posing potential risks to commercially important species due to increasing pollution in lagoon ecosystems.

"Groundbreaking study: Combined effect of marine heatwaves and polyethylene microplastics on Pacific oysters, Crassostrea gigas"

Microplastics (MPs) and rising marine seawater temperatures are one of the major environmental problems threatening the survival of marine organisms and biodiversity. However, interactions between such multiple stressors are virtually unexplored. This study aimed to assess the combined effect of two temperatures and polyethylene MPs on the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas, one of the most globalized mollusc species for aquaculture. Our work highlights the potential ecological risk posed by these two factors on marine bivalve molluscs. The experimental design was carried out following a 14-day exposure of oysters to environmental concentrations of polyethylene MPs (0.01 mg.L-1), and to two temperatures (15 °C and 22 °C). Sampling was performed on days 0, 7, and 14. The μ-FTIR analysis was applied to quantify MPs of interest and to check a potential environmental contamination. Tissue samples of digestive glands were collected from the oysters to evaluate the activity of biomarkers including superoxide dismutase, glutathione-s-transferase, malondialdehyde and laccase through protein levels. We note that the combination of MPs and high water temperature (HWT, 22 °C) had a significant impact both on the survival of animals and on stress markers, by modifying lipid peroxidation and immune responses. This original study gave the first innovative results on this topic and provides us with knowledge of the combined effects of MPs pollution and HWT (simulating marine heatwaves situation) on C. gigas. There remains a lack of information on the toxicity and the potential environmental hazard of plastics in the marine environment.

Museum-archived myctophids reveal decadal trends in microplastic and microfiber ingestion

Global plastic production has surged since the 1960s, resulting in the pervasive presence of microplastics in the environment, yet there is a substantial gap in understanding historical trends of plastic pollution in wildlife. Recent discoveries of significant microplastic contamination in fishes have sparked considerable contemporary advancements in analytical methods and hold the potential to fill gaps in historical trends. We measured the presence of microplastics in museum-archived myctophids (Stenobrachius leucopsarus, Diaphus theta, and Tarletonbeania crenularis) collected from 1962 to 2016, to determine if trends in contamination levels over time correspond with the rise in plastics production. Seventy particles were extracted from 57 of the 240 individuals (23.8 % average occurrence across the time series) consisting of primarily blue and black microfibers. Anthropogenically modified cellulose was the dominant material (87 %) identified through μFTIR analysis, with polypropylene and polyethylene particles occurring secondarily. Although the complete time series across a broad geographical range of the North Pacific did not reveal a significant temporal trend, myctophids collected in proximity to the U.S. west coast showed a trend towards increasing incidence of microplastic and microfiber ingestion over time (p ≤ 0.05). Using historical samples of species with higher ingestion levels and consistent collection locations would improve the reliability of future investigations.

Evidence of plastics contamination and sewage-derived residues in a Brazilian Hope Spot for conservation of marine biodiversity - Cagarras Islands and surrounding waters

Cagarras Islands Archipelago, a no-take MPA in Southeast Brazil, was designated as Natural Monument (MONA Cagarras) and, more recently, recognized as Hope Spot for biodiversity conservation. This study aimed to assess plastic contamination by analyzing marine litter and microplastics in MONA Cagarras and surrounding waters. Marine litter (34.12 kg) was caught by artisanal fishermen in MONA Cagarras proximities, and plastics represented ∼79 %. Personal hygiene items and strains of hair were found, suggesting sewage-derived contamination from Ipanema SSO. Microplastics were detected in MONA Cagarras surface waters. Fragments and black particle were the most frequently found microplastic shape and color, respectively. μ-FTIR analysis identified, in descending order of occurrence, polystyrene-PS, polyethylene-PE, polyvinyl chloride-PVC, polypropylene-P, and polyamide-PA. Our integrated results of macro and microplastic contamination highlight an issue of effective conservation and health of marine biodiversity in MONA Cagarras and surrounding waters and a concern for better management of Brazilian MPAs.

Are native microalgae consortia able to remove microplastics from wastewater effluents?

Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs) are potential sources of microplastics (MPs) in the aquatic environment. This study aimed to investigate the potential of wastewater-native microalgae consortia to remove MPs from the effluent of two different types of WWTPs as a dual-purpose solution for MPs mitigation and biomass production. For that purpose, the occurrence of MPs from two types of WWTP effluents was analysed over one year. MPs were characterized in terms of morphology (microbead, foam, granule, irregular, filament and film), colour and size. The wastewater characterisation was followed by the removal of MP loads, using native microalgae consortia, pre-adapted to the wastewater effluent. Microalgae consortia evolved naturally through four mitigation assays, adapted to seasonal conditions, such as temperature, photoperiod, and wastewater composition. MPs were present in all the effluent samples, ranging from 52 to 233 MP L−1. The characterisation of MPs indicated a predominance of white and transparent particles, with irregular and filament shapes, mainly under 500 μm in size. The μFTIR analysis revealed that 43% of the selected particles were plastic, with a prevalence of polypropylene (PP) (34%) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) (30 %). In the mitigation experiments, substantial biomass production was achieved (maximum of 2.6 g L−1 (d.w.)), with successful removal of MPs, ranging from 31 ± 25% to 82 ± 13%. These results show that microalgae growth in wastewater effluents efficiently promotes the removal of MPs, reducing this source of contamination in the aquatic environment, while generating valuable biomass. Additionally, the strategy employed, requires minimal control of culture conditions, simplifying the integration of these systems in real-world WWTP facilities for improved wastewater management.

Effects of groundwater sample volume on identified microplastics in groundwater of an agricultural area in Korea

Groundwater serves various purposes worldwide, including agricultural, drinking, domestic, and industrial uses. In the Republic of Korea, groundwater is used primarily for agricultural purpose. Understanding the quality of groundwater is crucial because microplastics (MPs) can enter groundwater through agricultural activities and potentially pose harm to humans. Therefore, groundwater sampling plays a vital role in determining the presence of MPs. However, the optimal volume of groundwater sampling required for accurate MP assessment remains uncertain. This study examined the optimal sample size for collecting MPs from groundwater in the heavy agricultural area of the Haean Basin, Korea. Groundwater sampling and MP analyses were conducted during the wet and dry seasons of 2022. A total of 500 L of groundwater was continuously sampled in increments of 100 L to 500 L (100, 200, 300, 400, and 500 L). Additionally, we investigated the land use surrounding the sampling wells and the predominant types of plastics used in agriculture. To ensure reliable MP analysis, precautions were taken to minimize plastic contact during sampling, pretreatment, and μ-FTIR analysis. The concentration of MPs in groundwater ranged from 0.04 to 17.77 particles/L during the wet season and from 0 to 0.56 particles/L during the dry season. The highest concentration of MPs was observed at the first 100 L sample volume, with concentrations decreasing as the sampling volume increased. Fragmented particles accounted for 86.3 % during the wet season and 91.5 % during the dry season, whereas fibers constituted 13.7 and 8.5 %, respectively. MPs in the size range of 20–100 μm were predominant in both seasons. The polymers identified in both seasons were polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and polyamide (PA). While some studies suggest that 500 L is the optimal sample volume for assessing MPs in groundwater, the findings of this study indicate that a larger sample volume may be necessary. This study was the first attempt to determine the optimum sample volume required to collect MPs from groundwater, emphasizing the importance of conducting further research to validate these findings.

Hotspots of microplastic accumulation at the land-sea transition and their spatial heterogeneity: The Po River prodelta (Adriatic Sea)

Deltas are the locus of river-borne sediment accumulation, however, their role in sequestering plastic pollutants is still overlooked. By combining geomorphological, sedimentological, and geochemical analyses, which include time-lapse multibeam bathymetry, sediment provenance, and μFT-IR analyses, we investigate the fate of plastic particles after a river flood event providing an unprecedented documentation of the spatial distribution of sediment as well as of microplastics (MPs), including particles fibers, and phthalates (PAEs) abundances in the subaqueous delta. Overall sediments are characterized by an average of 139.7 ± 80 MPs/kg d.w., but display spatial heterogeneity of sediment and MPs accumulation: MPs are absent within the active sandy delta lobe, reflecting dilution by clastic sediment (ca. 1.3 Mm3) and sediment bypass. The highest MP concentration (625 MPs/kg d.w.) occurs in the distal reaches of the active lobe where flow energy dissipates. In addition to MPs, cellulosic fibers are relevant (of up to 3800 fibers/kg d.w.) in all the analyzed sediment samples, and dominate (94 %) with respect to synthetic polymers.Statistically significant differences in the relative concentration of fiber fragments ≤0.5 mm in size were highlighted between the active delta lobe and the migrating bedforms in the prodelta. Fibers were found to slightly follow a power law size distribution coherent with a one-dimensional fragmentation model and thus indicating the absence of a size dependent selection mechanism during burial. Multivariate statistical analysis suggests traveling distance and bottom-transport regime as the most relevant factors controlling particle distribution. Our findings suggest that subaqueous prodelta should be considered hot spots for the accumulation of MPs and associated pollutants, albeit the strong lateral heterogeneity in their abundances reflects changes in the relative influence of fluvial and marine processes.

Preliminary assessment of microplastic pollution in commercial freshwater fish species collected from four districts in Bac Ninh province

Microplastics (MPs) are of emerging widespread concern, but amount of research done in freshwater environments and organisms is scarce compared to that in marine environments. Thus, the MPs identification in four freshwater fish at four districts of Bac Ninh province were documented, including common carp (Cyprynus carpio), grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), and red-tilapia (Oreochromis sp.). MPs were found in the gastrointestinal tracts (GIT) of 100% of examined fish. MPs abundances have significant differences between all freshwater fish collected from ponds and local markets (except for red-tilapia), while no difference by individual of each species neither in pond nor in local markets. The median sizes of microplastics ranged from 1410 µm to 2706 µm. The MPs were dominated by purple in color (in pond with average 38%; in local market with average 33%). µ-FTIR analysis showed that polymers found in fish GIT mainly were polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene, polypropylene and nylon. These results showed that the microplastics was widely ingested by freshwater fish and help to aware people which fish are more contaminated with MPs to human consumption in Bac Ninh province.

Abundance and composition of small floating plastics in the eastern and southern sectors of the Atlantic Ocean

We report the distribution of floating plastics in the eastern and southern sectors of the Atlantic Ocean based on 35 neuston net trawl samples collected during two research cruises in 2016 and 2017. Plastic particles (>200 μm) were found in 69% of net tows, with median densities of 1583 items·km−2 and 5.1 g·km−2. Most particles (80% of 158) were microplastics (<5 mm) of secondary origin (88%), followed by industrial pellets (5%), thin plastic films (4%) and lines/filaments (3%). Due to the large mesh size we used, textile fibers were not considered in this study. μFTIR analysis revealed that most particles found in the net were made of polyethylene (63%), followed by polypropylene (32%) and polystyrene (1%). A transect between 0 and 18°E along 35°S in the South Atlantic Ocean revealed higher densities farther west, supporting the accumulation of floating plastics in the South Atlantic gyre, mainly west of 10°E.

Estimating Microplastics related to Laundry Wash and Personal Care Products released to Wastewater in Major Estonian Cities: a comparison of calculated and measured microplastics.

Microplastics (MPs) research still at the budding stage in Estonia. A theoretical model build on substance flow analysis principles was developed. The goal of this study is to broaden understanding of MPs-types in wastewater and their contribution from known sources, quantify their presence based on model prediction and in-situ measurements. The authors estimate MPs from laundry wash (LW) and personal care products (PCPs)) in wastewater in Estonia. We found out that total estimated MPs load per capita from PCPs and LW in Estonia were between 4.25 - 12 tons/year, 3.52 - 11.24 tons / year respectively, and estimated load ended up in wastewater were between 700 - 30,000kg/yr. and 2 - 1500kg/yr. in WWTPs influent and effluent stream respectively.Finally. We conducted a comparison between estimated MPs load and on-site sample analysis and observed a medium-high level of MPs being discharged into the environment annually. During quantification and chemical characterization using µFTIR analysis, we found that microfibers with a length of 0.2-0.6 mm accounted for over 75% of the total MPs load in the effluent samples collected from four coastal WWTPs in Estonia. The estimation avails us broader overview about the theoretical MPs load in wastewater and gain valuable insight into developing process methods that prevent MPs accumulation in sewage sludge for safe application in agriculture.

Plastic recycling plant as a point source of microplastics to sediment and macroinvertebrates in a remote stream.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s43591-022-00045-z.

Distribution characteristics of plastic film residue in long-term mulched farmland soil

Soil contamination from film debris following the prolonged application of mulching film has emerged as a worldwide concern. However, the extent that mulching films contribute to soil microplastics, and the spatial distribution of soil contamination from film debris remain unclear. In this study, the cotton field in Xinjiang (China), which underwent film mulching for a prolonged period of 5–30 years, was selected as the research location. A total of 360 soil samples were collected, aiming to study the spatial distribution characteristics of mulching film debris pollution. The samples were extracted using the density flotation method combined with stereomicroscopic; the source, composition, abundance, and distribution characteristics of soil MPs were identified by the scanning electron microscopic, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic analyses. In soil mulched for a 30 year period, the abundance of microplastics across the studied soil depth (0–60 cm) was 78.51±2.57 n/(100 g). The μ-FTIR analyses revealed that the composition of the microplastics matched that of polyethylene materials. Therefore, plastic mulching could be inferred as a major contributor to microplastic pollution in agricultural lands. Overall, it is necessary to study the distribution characteristics of plastic film remaining for further study of plastic pollution in farmland soils.

Outdoor Microplastic Analysis Using Inlet Filters from an NOx Regulatory Air Quality Monitoring Device

Atmospheric microplastics (MPs) are a ubiquitous environmental contaminant of emerging concern. Sampling methods provide information relating to surface area concentration and MP characteristics, without direct comparison with routinely measured standard air quality parameters. This study analysed 6 active air samples generated by a local authority as part of their routine air quality monitoring activities. Continuous sampling totalled 10 months, within the city centre of Kingston-upon-Hull. By using μFTIR analysis, levels of total particles detected using the NOx inlet filters ranged from 5139 ± 2843 particles m−2 day−1, comprising 1029 ± 594 MPs m−2 day−1. The controls displayed a mean level of 2.00 ± 3.49 MPs. The polymers nylon (32%) and polypropylene, PP (22%) were the most abundant. Small fragments of 47.42 ± 48.57 μm (length) and 21.75 ± 13.62 μm (width) were most common. An increase in MP levels during April 2020 coincided with an increase in PM10 levels. This study used robust procedures to measure MPs in the air by exploiting existing air quality monitoring equipment. Knowing the levels, types, and characteristics of MPs can inform toxicity studies to provide more environmentally relevant exposures, which is urgent now that MPs have been reported in human lung tissue.

E. Globulus Vessel and Fibre Chemical Analysis

Hardwood species have a complex cellular structure consisting of fibres, vessel elements and parenchyma cells with different chemical compositions. However, the presence of vessels with significant dimensions in their structure is a recurrent problem in the operation of industrial UWF paper printing. Since the 1980s, vessel picking and ink refusal are problems that paper professionals have tried to solve, but solutions for these have not yet been fully found. If vessels are concentrated in a stream, they can be pre-treated (e.g., by mechanical refining) and reincorporated into the pulp. Other strategies aim at vessel enzymatic and/or chemical passivation and sheet surface chemical treatment, altering the vessel adhesion to the fibre network. This requires vessel concentration at laboratorial level for proper chemical studies, such as FE-SEM, μ-XPS, TOF-SIMS and μFTIR. The main objective of our experimental study was to examine bleached kraft pulp E. globulus vessel and fibre composition. For this we performed EDX and μ-FTIR analysis on both fibre and vessel elements, and obtained the carbohydrate composition, the total acids content, the hexenuronic acids content and the zeta potential.&#x0D; Keywords: E. globulus, vessel, EDX, μ-FTIR, sugar content, zeta potential

Airborne microplastic particle concentrations and characterization in indoor urban microenvironments

Airborne microplastics (MPs) have recently drawn the attention of the scientific community due to their possible human inhalation risk. Indoor environments are of relevance as people spend about 90% of their time indoors. This study evaluated MPs concentrations in three indoor environments: houses, public transport and working places, which are representative of urban life. Sampling involved the collection of airborne particulate matter on nylon 20 μm pore size filters. Samples were first visually inspected, and particles were characterized (colour, length or area). Polymer identification was performed through μFTIR analysis. Working conditions were controlled to guarantee quality assurance and avoid background contamination. Limits of detection, recovery tests and repeatability were performed with home-made polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polystyrene (PS) standards. The highest average MP concentrations were found in buses (17.3 ± 2.4 MPs/m3) followed by 5.8 ± 1.9 MPs/m3 in subways, 4.8 ± 1.6 MPs/m3 in houses, and 4.2 ± 1.6 MPs/m3 in the workplaces. Polyamide, PA (51%), polyester PES (48%) and PP (1%) were the polymers identified and most common in personal care products and synthetic textiles. Most of these polymers were below 100 μm in size for both fibres (64 ± 8%) and fragments (78 ± 11%). The frequency of MP particles in our study decreased with increasing size, which points to their potential as an inhalation hazard.

Distribution of Microplastics along Mai Khao Coastline, Phuket

The distribution of microplastics at Mai Khao beach, Phuket, Thailand was studied. A total of 12 samples from four sample sites with 0.5 m x 0.5 m quadrats were taken at the intertidal zone during March and July, 2020, and sorted into two size classes (&gt;300 µm and 20 to 300 µm). The mean abundance of microplastics at Mai Khao beach ranged from 44.08 to 68.7 items kg-1 d.w. for &gt;300 µm and from 90.6 to 106.1 items kg-1 d.w. for the 20 to 300 µm range. White (44.94%) and blue (23.60%) colors, and fiber shape (94.5%) were dominant in particle counts; and based on µFTIR analysis the dominant polymer type was polyethylene terephthalate (94.7% by number count), with considerable fractions of cotton and cellophane. The microplastic characteristics suggest anthropogenic activities as possible sources. Notably, the abundance of microplastic found in the study area was definitely higher than at other sites investigated along the west coast or Phuket. Significant differences in the abundances of the two microplastic size classes were observed (p &lt; 0.05), indicating that the microplastics in Mai Khao beach can accumulate in the marine food chain and transfer up along the trophic levels. Therefore, urgent attention should be given to the contamination problem, with a proper management system and a public awareness campaign, to reduce the effects of microplastic on organisms and ecosystems.

First evidence of in vitro cytotoxic effects of marine microlitter on Merluccius merluccius and Mullus barbatus, two Mediterranean commercial fish species

Marine litter is composed mainly of plastics and is recognized as a serious threat to marine ecosystems. Ecotoxicological approaches have started elucidating the potential severity of microplastics (MPs) in controlled laboratory studies with pristine materials but no information exists on marine environmental microlitter as a whole. Here, we characterized the litter in the coastal Northern Tyrrhenian sea and in the stomach of two fish species of socio-economic importance, and exposed primary cell cultures of mucosal and lymphoid organs to marine microlitter for evaluating possible cytotoxic effects. An average of 0.30 ± 0.02 microlitter items m−3 was found in water samples. μFT-IR analysis revealed that plastic particles, namely HDPE, polyamide and polypropylene were present in 100% and 83.3% of Merluccius merluccius and Mullus barbatus analyzed, which overall ingested 14.67 ± 4.10 and 5.50 ± 1.97 items/individual, respectively. Moreover, microlitter was confirmed as a vector of microorganisms. Lastly, the apical end-point of viability was found to be significantly reduced in splenic cells exposed in vitro to two microlitter conditions. Considering the role of the spleen in the mounting of adaptive immune responses, our results warrant more in-depth investigations for clarifying the actual susceptibility of these two species to anthropogenic microlitter.

Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in beach sediments along Phuket coastline

Phuket is a popular tourism destination in Thailand. This study examined the distribution of microplastics found on beaches along the East and West coasts of Phuket including Tri Trang, Patong, Kalim, Chalong, Makham, and Rawai beaches. A total of 18 samples from a 0.5 m × 0.5 m quadrat at the intertidal zone were sorted into >300-μm and 20–300-μm size classes. For all sizes combined, the mean abundance was 188.3 ± 34.5 items kg−1. White (29.2%) and fiber (85.6%) were the most abundant plastic; and the polymer types based on μFTIR analysis were PET > PS > PP > PU > PVC > Epoxy with a great amount of cotton and regenerated cellulose also detected. Principal component analysis indicated the correlation between PET, regenerated cellulose, PP and PU with Chalong and Patong beaches, suggesting that highly visited tourist beaches with harbor activities, and a tourist departure point, are possible sources of microplastics.

Tackling the Challenge of Extracting Microplastics from Soils: A Protocol to Purify Soil Samples for Spectroscopic Analysis.

Microplastic pollution in soils is an emerging topic in the scientific community, with researchers striving to determine the occurrence and the impact of microplastics on soil health, ecology, and functionality. However, information on the microplastic contamination of soils is limited because of a lack of suitable analytical methods. Because micro-Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (µ-FTIR), next to Raman spectroscopy, is one of the few methods that allows the determination of the number, polymer type, shape, and size of microplastic particles, the present study addresses the challenge of purifying soil samples sufficiently to allow a subsequent µ-FTIR analysis. A combination of freeze-drying, sieving, density separation, and a sequential enzymatic-oxidative digestion protocol enables removal of the mineral mass (>99.9% dry wt) and an average reduction of 77% dry weight of the remaining organic fraction. In addition to visual integrity, attenuated total reflectance FTIR, gel permeation chromatography, and differential scanning calorimetry showed that polyamide, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, and polyvinyl chloride in the size range of 100 to 400 µm were not affected by the approach. However, biodegradable polylactic acid showed visible signs of degradation and reduced molecular weight distribution after protease treatment. Nevertheless, the presented purification protocol is a reliable and robust method to purify relatively large soil samples of approximately 250 g dry weight for spectroscopic analysis in microplastic research and has been shown to recover various microplastic fibers and fragments down to a size of 10 µm from natural soil samples. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:844-857. © 2021 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.

Microplastic Contamination in Snow from Western Italian Alps.

Recent studies have documented the presence of microplastics (MPs) in remote areas, including soils or sediments collected in mountain and glacier environments, but information on their presence in snow is scant. The present study aimed at exploring the presence of MPs in residual snow collected in four locations of the Aosta Valley (Western Italian Alps), with different accessibility and human presence. Overall, the µ-FTIR analyses confirmed the presence of 18 MPs in snow, 7 (39%) items were fibres, while 11 (61%) were fragments. Polyethylene (PE; 7 MPs) was the main polymer, followed by polyethylene terephthalate (PET; 3 MPs), high density PE (HDPE; 3 MPs), polyester (2 MPs), while only 1 MP made by low density PE, polypropylene and polyurethane were found. The mean (± SE) concentration of MPs in snow ranged between 0.39 ± 0.39 MPs/L and 4.91 ± 2.48 MPs/L, with a mean of 2.32 ± 0.96 MPs/L for the sampling locations. The concentration of MPs did not statistically differ among locations. Our results suggest that MPs presence in high-mountain ecosystems might depend on deposition through atmospheric precipitations or local sources due to human activities. For these reasons, policies aiming at reducing plastic use and dispersal in mountain areas may be effective in preventing local MP contamination.