Microplastic pollution and ecotoxicological risk in high-altitude glacial lakes of Durmitor, Montenegro

High-altitude glacial lakes in Durmitor National Park, Montenegro, exhibit moderate to high levels of microplastic (MP) pollution, with polyethylene being the dominant polymer. The study, conducted across three seasons, found MP abundance averaging 5.1 ± 1.4 items per 100 g in Black Lake and 3.8 ± 0.5 items per 100 g in Devil Lake, primarily consisting of fibers and fragments sized 1-3 mm. Polymer hazard and ecological risk indices indicated high to very high environmental risk, suggesting these pristine environments are vulnerable to diffuse pollution sources, including tourism and long-range transport. The research provides baseline data for alpine freshwater ecosystems and underscores the need for integrated waste management strategies to mitigate MP contamination in protected areas.

Bošković, N., Jaćimović, Ž., Jerman, I., Race, A., Trebše, P., & Bajt, O. (2026). Microplastic pollution and ecotoxicological risk in high-altitude glacial lakes of Durmitor, Montenegro. Scientific Reports, 16(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-51455-5