Desert Research Institute finds microplastics in snow around Tahoe, per report
At the Desert Research Institute’s press conference at the American Geophysical Union on Dec. 12, the Reno-based science group announced that they had discovered microplastics in the snow around the Lake Tahoe Basin.
The report on the DRI’s findings was penned by Julia Mae Davidson, Monica M Arienzo and Zoe Harrold.
The findings are concerning, as microplastics have never before been discovered in the snow around the Tahoe Basin.
Microplastics, as defined by the DRI, are plastic particles less than five millimeters in size.
The research group made the discovery by collecting various snow samples from the Tahoe region and filtering the snow as it melted. Once the first level of filtration had completed, the team then filtered the containment's into two groups.
The first group was comprised of pieces greater than 100 millimeters, followed by the second being divided by pieces ranging in size between 100-0.45 millimeters.
Once sizing on the containment's were complete, they were sorted by shapes and colors.
The predominant contaminant found among the pollutants were microfibers. Microfibers are fibers that have a diameter of less than 10 micrometers.
Prior to the announcement at the AGU, the DRI announced that they had discovered microplastics in the waters Lake Tahoe.
Join us, in preemptive care
The findings of the DRI are concerning, to say the least. This is why a step away from plastics, in general, is a crucial step for the sake of the region. At Tahoe Timber, we believe in that step and are trying to pioneer a path forward.
Take for example our recent partnership with the Tahoe Fund and the Smarter Forest Fund.
The project was created in response to the devastating wildfires felt in both California and Nevada. To do this, funds will be raised by both the Tahoe Fund and Tahoe Timber to go towards seed funding.
Many trees in the Tahoe Basin need to be rejuvenated and this project sees to do just that.
Please consider helping us and the Tahoe Fund through donations to the campaign. We can’t do this alone.
