Abstract ID: 28.7281 | Accepted as Poster | Poster | 2025-02-27 13:00 - 14:30 | Ágnes‐Heller‐Haus/Small Lecture Room

Microplastics (MPs) are an emerging pollutant in alpine environments, where snow and ice act as sinks for these contaminants. The increasing popularity of winter sports, particularly alpine skiing and more recently ski alpinism, raises concerns about the potential release of MPs from equipment, such as ski bases, and their subsequent impact on fragile mountain ecosystems. This research focuses on the potential release of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) microplastics from ski bases during alpine skiing. The study evaluates the material released due to wear in two distinct contexts: (i) field samples collected from ski slopes in Valle d’Aosta, and (ii) laboratory simulations using a snow tribometer that reproduces under controlled conditions ski gliding on snow. Samples from both contexts were extracted for subsequent micro-Fourier Transform Infrared (micro-FTIR) spectroscopy to identify polyethylene particles, followed by Raman spectroscopy to further characterize the particles, leveraging the unique carbon-based additives present in the polyethylene used for ski bases. The methodology has proven reproducible for both field and laboratory samples, effectively isolating UHMWPE particles. This work establishes a framework for evaluating the environmental impact of skiing on alpine ecosystems and underscores the need to develop environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional ski materials.