Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
2 hours ago
STRATHCLYDE UNIVERSITY
Scientists have found that a secluded region in the Pyrenees mountains - previously
considered pristine wilderness - is covered with airborne microplastics.
A team from Strathclyde and Toulouse universities spent five months in the area, which
straddles France and Spain.
They estimate that each day an average of 365 tiny plastic fragments or fibres settled on
every square metre of land.
It is not known the distance microplastics can travel, but the paper, published in the Nature
Geoscience journal, suggests fragments are regularly travelling distances of nearly 60 miles.
STRATHCLYDE UNIVERSITY
Steve Allen, a researcher from Strathclyde University, said the research suggested
microplastics were being transported by the wind.
He said: "It's astounding and worrying that so many particles were found in the Pyrenees field
site.
ADVERTISEMENT
"It opens up the possibility that it's not only in the cities you are breathing this in, but it can
travel quite some distance from the sources.
"Plastic litter is an increasing global issue and one of the key environmental challenges we
face on global scale."
Mr Allen said that researchers had yet to determine the full impact of microplastics, but that
other experiments had suggested they could lead to changes in feeding and mating habits in
some species.
Microplastics, which are completely invisible to the naked eye, have also been detected in the
oceans and aquatic life.
They have been found in tap water around the world and in some of the most remote places
on earth, with studies showing they have even reached Antarctica.
Related Topics
Scotland
Abuse claim monk 'should return to Scotland'
16 April 2019 Highlands & Islands
Kilmacolm bowlers took to the green for the official launch of the outdoor season
Greenock Telegraph
Public sets out priorities for Vale of Leven Hospital at Dumbarton meeting
Dumbarton & Vale of Leven Reporter
Family “extremely worried” for man missing from Auchinloch near Lenzie
Kirkintilloch Herald
Ecuador says Assange Passengers rescue man Hymns and shock after
used embassy to spy from oncoming train Notre-Dame fire
Elsewhere on BBC
Recommended by Outbrain
Top Stories
Millions pledged to rebuild Notre-Dame
Offers of help have been pouring in from around the globe after the fire at the Paris cathedral.
44 minutes ago
Features
Feeling hot
What happens to your body in extreme heat?
Most Read
Notre-Dame fire: Millions pledged to rebuild cathedral 1
ADVERTISEMENT
On your connected tv
Get news alerts
Sport Weather
Shop Reel
Travel Capital
Culture Future
Sounds CBBC
CBeebies Food
Bitesize Arts
Nature Local
TV Radio
Copyright © 2019 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our
approach to external linking.