Abstract ID: 3.13015 | Accepted as Talk | Talk/Oral | TBA | TBA

There is growing scientific interest in nanoplastics (NPs) due to their unique properties, which could lead to significant risks to living organisms. However, the challenge of accurately detecting NPs in complex matrices has led to a shortage of data on their presence in the environment. High-mountain ecosystems are emerging as indicators of plastic pollution, with glaciers acting as temporary pollutant sinks, yet NPs presence in high-mountain organisms remains unknown. This research focuses on developing and applying an analytical method to identify NPs in chironomid larvae (Diamesa sp.) collected from a remote Alpine region. The proposed methodology integrates enzymatic and oxidative digestion, followed by ethanol-based purification, with subsequent identification through Raman spectroscopy and microscopy. To assess the reliability of the extraction process, chironomid samples were spiked with polystyrene nanoplastics (500 nm) at two concentrations (10⁹ and 10⁷ particles/mL) before undergoing the full extraction protocol. Nanoplastic quantification in the residual sample matrix was conducted using Single Particle Extinction and Scattering analysis. Results indicated high recovery efficiencies, ranging from 80 to 110 %. Additionally, confocal Raman spectroscopy proved effective in detecting plastic particles. Following method validation, non-spiked Diamesa tonsa larvae were examined as part of a case study on NPs pollution in remote alpine environments. A polystyrene signal was detected in one larval sample, hinting at potential NPs contamination in this otherwise pristine glacial environment. Future research will focus on refining quantification techniques, such as Pyro-GC-MS, to improve NPs detection in complex biological specimens, ultimately contributing to environmental risk assessments.