Research Projects

Microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) are widely recognized in freshwater, marine, and terrestrial ecosystems worldwide. However, their prevalence in the Himalayan region's glaciers and alpine lakes remains unknown. The Himalayan region is already vulnerable to climate change and may have additional impacts on these fragile ecosystems. Monitoring the impacts of emerging contaminants MPs and NPs on the Himalayan glaciers and alpine lakes is crucial as the region holds the greatest ice mass outside of Polar areas. Anthropogenic particles transferred to the upper Himalayas have a significant negative impact on the region's natural ecosystems, including glacier melting rate, biodiversity, and ecology. Limited work has been done on the sources and effects of MPs and NPs on the glaciers and lakes in the Indian Himalayan region. A recent study found plastic fragments in snow close to Mount Everest, the highest mountain in the world. The ability of MPs and NPs to absorb light may affect surface albedo in glaciers, potentially accelerating melting due to rapid global warming and increased plastic pollution. This suggests that MPs in snow may lower the albedo of glaciers, altering their energy balance. Understanding the sources, origin, and quantities of MPs and NPs in glaciers and alpine lakes is crucial for understanding the future effects of MPs and NPs pollution in the Himalayan ecosystems, which are already vulnerable due to climate change and global warming. This study aims to investigate the quantity, color, shape, polymer type, and possible sources of MPs and NPs in the NW Kashmir Himalayas, helping to identify hazards and inform future conservation decisions.