Tiny flakes of plastic discovered high in the French Pyrenees may have been carried by winds more than 4,500 kilometres, researchers believe.
Microplastics – defined as small pieces of plastic less than 5mm in size – were discovered at a star-gazing observatory nearly 3,000 metres above sea level in southern France, according to the study in the journal Nature Communications.
Researchers used meteorological modelling tools to suggest that the flakes may have come from as far away as the US and Canada carried by winds through the layer of atmosphere above the clouds, known as the free troposphere.
The findings by researchers from the UK and France are significant as they suggest that even the world’s most pristine, remote and uninhabited sites could be affected by the use of plastics that could potentially carry viruses and chemicals.
How far the plastic flakes can travel depends in part on the altitude they reach, with faster moving winds higher in the atmosphere.
Most research about the spread of plastic has focused on ocean-borne movements but this study is the latest to indicate that plastic can travel huge distances. Dust that has entered the free troposphere has been recorded to circuit the world.
A study of plastic fragments in London from 2020 has suggested that plastics had been found that originated nearly 9,000km away. Other studies have shown large amounts of plastic flakes in snow collected in icebergs and the Arctic.
The researchers from the universities of Strathclyde and Birmingham in the UK and Grenoble and Toulouse in France suggested that the source of the plastic was North America, western Europe and North Africa, based on wind, humidity and other weather patterns.
The study found that the most common form of plastic found at the Pic du Midi observatory was polyethylene, invented in the 1950s and one of the most widely produced plastics in the world with tens of millions of tonnes produced every year.
The vast production of plastics and the failure to dispose of it properly has left the world with vast volumes of plastic that might only be used for a few minutes but could take 400 years to break down.
The researchers said further study using modelling could help to identify the sources of the plastic pollution. It could potentially have come from areas such as North Africa, Spain, Portugal, France, the UK and Ireland and as far away as Canada, they said.
“These findings have implications for remote areas, transporting this new contaminant (and potential pollutant) far beyond its source location,” said the study.
“It also indicates a potential risk to environmental and human health due to the possibility of adsorbed chemicals and bacteria/virus being transported long distances prior to deposition in pristine locations and areas vulnerable to exotic chemicals and bacteria/virus.”
One of the authors of the paper, Steve Allen, said the study added to a small body of work on the impact of plastics spread by the wind.
"We need a lot more research and, given the potential human health implications from breathing this material, we need it fast," he said.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, second leg result:
Ajax 2-3 Tottenham
Tottenham advance on away goals rule after tie ends 3-3 on aggregate
Final: June 1, Madrid
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
TOP%2010%20MOST%20POLLUTED%20CITIES
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GOLF’S RAHMBO
- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)
SPEC%20SHEET
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
Representing%20UAE%20overseas
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White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogen
Chromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxide
Ultramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica content
Ophiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on land
Olivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Company%20Profile
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The Greatest Royal Rumble card as it stands
50-man Royal Rumble
Universal Championship Brock Lesnar (champion) v Roman Reigns in a steel cage match
Intercontinental Championship Seth Rollins (champion) v The Miz v Finn Balor v Samoa Joe
SmackDown Tag Team Championship The Bludgeon Brothers (champions) v The Usos
Casket match The Undertaker v Chris Jericho
John Cena v Triple H
Matches to be announced
WWE World Heavyweight Championship, Raw Tag Team Championship, United States Championship and the Cruiserweight Championship are all due to be defended
The biog
Hometown: Cairo
Age: 37
Favourite TV series: The Handmaid’s Tale, Black Mirror
Favourite anime series: Death Note, One Piece and Hellsing
Favourite book: Designing Brand Identity, Fifth Edition
Company%C2%A0profile
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Kanye%20West
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Most%20polluted%20cities%20in%20the%20Middle%20East
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MOST%20POLLUTED%20COUNTRIES%20IN%20THE%20WORLD
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RESULTS - ELITE MEN
1. Henri Schoeman (RSA) 57:03
2. Mario Mola (ESP) 57:09
3. Vincent Luis (FRA) 57:25
4. Leo Bergere (FRA)57:34
5. Jacob Birtwhistle (AUS) 57:40
6. Joao Silva (POR) 57:45
7. Jonathan Brownlee (GBR) 57:56
8. Adrien Briffod (SUI) 57:57
9. Gustav Iden (NOR) 57:58
10. Richard Murray (RSA) 57:59
