Microplastics also detected in glacier lakes

The rehearsals were taken on the Pasterze last summer, on the East Tyrolean Schlatkees, in Schmiedingersee on Lake Kitzsteinhorn and in the Hallstätter Glacier and evaluated at the English University of Exeter. Plastic particles were found in all samples.

Particles made from rubber wear or sports activities
A total of 13 different plastic varieties were detected, “partly of textiles, packaging or industrial applications,” said the environmental protection organization. These came from direct human activities on the glaciers, such as skiing or walking, or are the results of activities in the nearby settlement area, such as rubber sliding arrangement of car tires, which can be hunted and can be driven over to dozens of tens of kilometers by wind and rain .

Microplastics can also be transported over long distances via the atmosphere and also reaches extremely remote areas via rain and snow. Microplasty in the glacier water “not only houses dangers for the immediate vicinity, water beings and local biodiversity, but can also pollute drinking water sources in Austria,” the NGO said in a broadcast on Tuesday.

Intensification of glacier protection required
Especially in the international year of preserving the glaciers, not only the fight against the glacier melts caused by global warming is important, but also the maintenance of the glaciers as an important water memory, Greenpeace emphasized and calls for glacier protection Intensify: in the protection of glaciers: the environmental impact assessment can in the future “Moränen and Glacier -apron also be protected and not only the glacier ice cream”. In addition, a stop for construction work on glaciers is required: “New excavator and explosive work on glaciers must be banned because sensitive ecosystems are destroyed and further microplastics are released.”

The highest concentration of artificial fibers and particles was demonstrated in a monster of the lake on the glacier tongue on the Schlatkees in the Venice group, which was far away from the Venice, where polyester, acryides, polyamide, chlorated polyethylene and chlorine -Polyethylene was found. The small ice lake on Hallstätter -Gletsher also turned out to be heavily loaded.

Blue fibers found in all fibers
Synthetic blue fibers that probably come from jeans were found in all samples. Particles of microplastics are probably from polyester clothing, pets or shoe soles. Samples were also taken from the Stubai glacier. However, when sending to the Greenpeace Science Unit University University, the corresponding test tubes broke.

Negotiations on plastic agreements of the UN are being continued
In the context of the future Austrian federal government, Greenpeace Austria also requires compliance with the climate goals and reminds that an internationally struggled with a Plair agreement of the UN: “Greenpeace requires that 75 percent less plastic will be produced by 2040. “

After the fifth negotiation round, which was advised in the South Korean Busan in the South Korean Busan for a week, the negotiations would probably have to be resumed in December without agreement.

While a coalition of more than 100 countries, including the European Union is dedicated to an upper limit of plastic production, oil states such as Saudi Arabia and Russia only want to focus on efficient waste management. According to the UN, around 400 million tons of plastic waste are produced worldwide and the trend is rising.