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Where have wind-transported microplastics been found outside the oceans?
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plastic pollution
A volunteer collecting plastic nurdles (pellets less than 0.2 inch [0.5 centimeter] in diameter) at Barreiras Beach, Corrubedo, Spain.
Wind-transported microplastics are not confined to marine environments; they have been detected throughout various components of Earth’s ecosystems. Beyond the oceans, these particles have been identified in the following locations:
- High-altitude regions: Microplastic fibers and particles have been found in snow deposited atop mountains.1
- Polar regions: They have been detected on Arctic beaches and sea ice, as well as in Antarctica.1
- Terrestrial and freshwater systems: These pollutants have also been identified in soils and freshwater systems, confirming their widespread distribution in the atmosphere and across the planet.1