Microplastic Footprints in Mountain Ecosystems: A Review of Current Evidence and Scientific Gaps

Year 2025, Volume: 1 Issue: 1, 46 - 56, 30.06.2025

Hamide Sena Kanat Hülya Aykaç Özen

Abstract

Microplastic pollution has emerged as a pervasive environmental issue, with increasing evidence revealing its presence beyond urban and marine environments, extending into remote mountain ecosystems. This review synthesizes current research on the occurrence, sources, and distribution of microplastics in mountain regions worldwide. Studies demonstrate that microplastics are transported to high-altitude environments primarily through atmospheric deposition, tourism activities, and adjacent human settlements. Despite growing awareness, data on spatial and temporal variability of microplastic contamination in mountainous areas remain limited. Moreover, the ecological impacts of microplastics on mountain biota and ecosystem processes are poorly understood. Methodological inconsistencies across studies further complicate comprehensive assessments. This paper highlights critical scientific gaps and underscores the need for standardized protocols, long-term monitoring, and interdisciplinary approaches to better elucidate the extent and consequences of microplastic pollution in mountain ecosystems. Addressing these gaps is essential for informing conservation strategies and mitigating plastic pollution in these vulnerable environments

Keywords

mountain , atmosphere , ecosystem , pollution , Microplastic

Dağ Ekosistemlerinde Mikroplastik Ayak İzleri: Mevcut Kanıtlar ve Bilimsel Boşluklar Üzerine Bir İnceleme

Abstract

Mikroplastik kirliliği yaygın bir çevre sorunu olarak ortaya çıkmıştır ve artan kanıtlar, kentsel ve deniz ortamlarının ötesinde, uzak dağ ekosistemlerine kadar uzanan varlığını ortaya koymaktadır. Bu derleme, dünya çapında dağlık bölgelerde mikroplastiklerin oluşumu, kaynakları ve dağılımına ilişkin mevcut araştırmaları sentezlemektedir. Çalışmalar, mikroplastiklerin yüksek rakımlı ortamlara öncelikle atmosferik birikim, turizm faaliyetleri ve komşu insan yerleşimleri yoluyla taşındığını göstermektedir. Artan farkındalığa rağmen, dağlık alanlardaki mikroplastik kirliliğinin mekansal ve zamansal değişkenliğine ilişkin veriler sınırlı kalmaktadır. Ayrıca, mikroplastiklerin dağ biyotası ve ekosistem süreçleri üzerindeki ekolojik etkileri yeterince anlaşılamamıştır. Çalışmalar arasındaki metodolojik tutarsızlıklar, kapsamlı değerlendirmeleri daha da karmaşık hale getirmektedir. Bu makale, kritik bilimsel boşlukları vurgulamakta ve dağ ekosistemlerindeki mikroplastik kirliliğinin kapsamını ve sonuçlarını daha iyi aydınlatmak için standartlaştırılmış protokollere, uzun vadeli izlemeye ve disiplinler arası yaklaşımlara duyulan ihtiyacın altını çizmektedir. Bu eksikliklerin giderilmesi, koruma stratejilerinin bilgilendirilmesi ve bu hassas ortamlarda plastik kirliliğinin azaltılması için elzemdir.

Keywords

Mikroplastik , dağ , atmosfer , ekosistem , kirlilik

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