Researchers from the Ocean Conservancy have discovered that microplastics are present in every marine habitat they have examined. These tiny particles, which are inhaled and consumed by both humans and animals, pose a serious threat to our health and the environment. Blue whales, for example, ingest up to 10 million pieces of microplastic each day. While most of the plastic is expelled from our bodies, a small portion remains inside us, and the extent of the harm it may cause is still unknown.
Scientists, including Jaramillo and Crisafi-Lurtsema, are working to learn more about microplastics. They are studying the particles in the air as well as those left behind by climbers on Denali who discard items made from plastic. By gathering data on this issue, they hope to better understand the scope of the problem and find ways to reduce its impact.
Jaramillo is one of these scientists. For him, climbing Denali along the West Buttress Route is a lifelong dream come true. Growing up in Quito, Ecuador, he developed a passion for climbing with his father at a young age when they tackled peaks like Cotopaxi volcano together. Now a student in UAF’s engineering program, Jaramillo is excited for this adventure that will fulfill his childhood dream while also contributing to scientific research on an important environmental issue. His journey from Ecuador to New York City to Alaska has led him here and he is eager to embark on this new adventure that combines both his love for climbing and his passion for science.
