In Switzerland, the presence of micro-plastics in Alpine lakes is still very poorly documented. Yet these particles can have a major impact on aquatic ecosystems, which is why research projects are needed to quantify the extent of this atmospheric pollution in our mountains.

Since 2022, the Summit Foundation has been working with the AQUALTI association to extend the scope of the research carried out as part of PLASTILAC in Switzerland, in collaboration with the Université Savoie Mont-Blanc. The project involves not only a scientific approach, but also a major effort to raise awareness among the general public and schools. Ultimately, the scientific aspect will provide a better understanding of the mechanisms by which plastic microparticles are transferred and accumulate in Alpine aquatic ecosystems.

Following on from the major project "Clean Mont-Blanc carried out in 2021, which detected traces of micro-plastics in glacial streams in the massif, it has been decided to inaugurate the first PLASTILAC research session in 2022 in the Lake Catogne between Trient (VS) and Vallorcine (F). This first expedition was followed by further sampling in July 2023 in the Bachalp lake, above Grindelwald (BE).

During these expeditions, a multidisciplinary team (researchers, engineers, divers, communicators and photographers) travels to a mountain lake to analyse the lake's microplastic content. Some of the samples are taken by the researchers on the surface water, and a second part is taken by professional divers at the bottom of the lake, where sediments are collected.