Mt Everest, trash galore!In Deference to my Idols - Blogger |
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Mt. Everest. phys.org |
According to New Scientist reports, snow samples taken even 300 meters at altitudes between 5334 and 7772 meters on Everest all had concentrations of arsenic and cadmium in excess of what the Environmental Protection Agency considers safe; soil samples taken in the same locations had high levels of arsenic. The presence of heavy metal concentration in snow on the higher slopes of Mt. Everest is matter of serious concern for the future climbers because their dependence on melted snow for water is inevitable.
Samantha Langley-Turnbaugh of the University of Southern Maine at Gorham, points out the heavy metal concentrations "could be a concern." Further, when such heavy metal contaminated glacial melt water feeds the rivers in the plains, the lives of people along the river course will be facing serious threats. To cut down the risk to humans, fish, etc the Nepal government should make it compulsory to analyze the melt water from the Everest areas periodically and check the quality of potable water.
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https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn19803-toxic-heavy-metals-reach-top-of-the-world/
Read the paper: Trace Element Deposition on Mount Everest [PDF]