Microplastic in Glacier Region: Presence, Distribution, and Possible Sources

The role of human behavior in the global spread of marine debris cannot be understated. A growing awareness of environmental issues is evident in remote regions like glacier areas. Although researchers have discovered glacier ice as a temporary deposit for microplastics, the processes that release and transport these pollutants through the ocean ecosystem remain unclear. Moreover, there is an ongoing debate about the actual significance of microplastics from nearby sources in the glacier environment. This chapter focuses on providing an understanding of the dispersal patterns of microplastics in various habitats, such as biota, snow, ocean, and sediment. By shedding light on their origins and routes of travel in this critical region, one can determine the impact of microplastics on the environment.