Scientists from Tomsk State University have detected microplastic particles in every single snow sample collected across the Western Siberian region over a comprehensive three-year monitoring period. The study, published in the scientific journal Pollutants, spanned a vast territory stretching from the Altai foothills all the way to the Arctic Circle. Samples were gathered between 2021 and 2023 at 23 designated monitoring stations during the peak periods of snow accumulation. The observations covered the Tomsk, Novosibirsk, Omsk, Tyumen, and Kemerovo oblasts, the Khanty-Mansi and Yamalo-Nenets autonomous okrugs, and the Altai Krai.
According to the researchers' calculations, the average number of microplastic particles per square meter of snow cover surged from 711 units in 2021 to 1,112 units by 2023. Although the pollutants were distributed unevenly across the surveyed regions, the authors noted a consistent upward trend in average concentrations over the years, characterizing it as a pronounced accumulation tendency within the snowpack.
Laboratory analysis revealed that fibers accounted for more than 90 percent of the discovered particles. Smaller fragments reached a share of up to 8 percent, while film pieces and spherical particles combined did not exceed 2 percent of the total count. The predominant particle sizes ranged from 300 to 1,000 micrometers, translating to 0.3 to 1 millimeter. Notably, during the 2022–2023 seasons, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) accounted for over 40 percent of the detected polymer composition, alongside polypropylene, polyethylene, and polystyrene—materials widely used in the manufacturing of synthetic textiles, clothing, packaging, and plastic containers.
The researchers emphasize that the overwhelming abundance of fibers strongly suggests that synthetic textile products serve as one of the primary drivers of this environmental contamination. Interestingly, the analysis revealed no direct correlation between microplastic concentrations and local population density, gross regional product, or proximity to major roadways. However, a moderate correlation was observed with snowpack thickness: heavier precipitation levels actively intensified the deposition of atmospheric particles into the accumulating snow.
The team also evaluated potential ecological risks using several standardized indices. The chemical hazard index for the polymers reportedly jumped from 96.2 in 2021 to 991 in 2023. According to study participant Alexey Redkin, this figure reaches the lower threshold of hazardous levels under the applied assessment methodology. This surge was attributed to the appearance of polyacrylonitrile and polyurethane in the samples, which carry higher toxicity scores. Nonetheless, the potential ecological risk index, which also accounts for concentration volumes, remained within the lowest risk category despite rising from 1.92 to 19.7, prompting researchers to stress the absolute necessity for ongoing monitoring.
Source: kun.uz