Rice, D. (2020, November 20). ‘Real EYE-OPENER’: Microplastic pollution discovered in snow near top of Mount Everest. Retrieved March 15, 2021, from https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/11/20/mount-everest-microplastic-pollution-discovered/6342235002/
Microplastic pollution has been discovered in the snow near the top of Mount Everest. They were found in samples of snow from National Geographic. The majority of these microplastics discovered were fibrous. This means they were most likely from performance clothing and gear used by hikers or were carried from lower altitudes on the wind. These are the highest microplastics discovered so far.
Generally, Mount Everest is considered to be a remote, pure, and pristine location, so the discovery of these microplastics here represents just how far human pollution has reached. Microplastics have already been found in the depths of our oceans, and now in the highest peaks of the mountains. This invisible form of pollution is still harmful and can be found in nearly everything, from our food to our oceans to, now, Mount Everest. It shows the severity of human impact on the Earth and the extent of our plastic pollution.
It is very interesting that plastic has been found near the top of Mount Everest. I definitely agree with your point that this discovery highlights the reach of the human population — we have left our trash in even the most difficult to reach of places.
To me, this is a bummer to hear. We think of these beautiful places as being “pure” and special and I hope that this issue will not worsen over the years. What can people do to prevent this from happening? What issues does this pose if any?