COVID lockdown significantly impacted microplastic bulk atmospheric deposition rates

Environmental Pollution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 344, P. 123354 - 123354

Published: Jan. 15, 2024

Here, microplastic atmospheric deposition data collected at an urban site during the French national lockdown of spring 2020 is compared to from same in a period normal activity. Bulk was on vegetated roof suburban campus Greater Paris and analysed for microplastics using micro-FTIR imaging methodology. Significantly lower rates were measured overall (median 5.4 MP m−2.d−1) than activity 2021 29.2 m−2.d−1). This difference however not observed smallest size class. The dominant polymers identified PP, followed by PE PS. Precipitation alone could explain differences between two campaigns, it suggested that temporary drop human primary cause reduced rates. study provides novel insight immediate impact activities microplastics, thus enhancing global understanding this topic.

Language: Английский

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Microplastics Aloft: A comprehensive exploration of sources, transport, variations, interactions and their implications on human health in the atmospheric realm

Earth-Science Reviews, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 255, P. 104864 - 104864

Published: July 10, 2024

Microplastics (MPs), particles with a size <5 mm, are ubiquitous in water, soil, and atmosphere, have become highly discussed environmental issue. Although atmospheric MPs received less attention than soil their possible consequences being examined more depth. This study systematically reviews the sources, transport, distribution, variations of MPs, interactions other pollutants environment impact on human health based literature. The results show that been identified diverse settings such as urban, sub-urban, remote areas well indoor air. These airborne can originate from terrestrial sources like landfills, synthetic clothing, plastic manufacturing, use recycling activities, aquatic resulting bubble bursting. outdoor MP abundance was detected range 2 to 1159 MP/m2/day depositions 0 224 MP/m3 suspended samples, while significantly higher observed indoors ranging 22 760,000 0.4 1583 MP/m3. distribution characteristics affected by several factors urbanization, anthropogenic environments seasons. Atmospheric transport occurs through suspension, horizontal deposition processes greatly influenced morphology MP, wind speed direction, precipitation factors. path atmosphere is studied Lagrangian models conducting backward trajectory simulations estimate linear trajectories at sampling locations discern potential origin travel distance. also interact variety chemical microorganisms thus act vector for pollutant transport. toxicity may be increased release pathogens contaminants into environment, thereby increasing risk humans. Based study, it suggested further scientific research should focus standardization methods, mechanisms, ecological impacts. As could enter body various urgent physiological effects when exposed pollution.

Language: Английский

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Micro- and Nanoplastics in the Atmosphere: Methodology for Microplastics Size-Fractionation Sampling

Microplastics, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 3(1), P. 82 - 97

Published: Feb. 8, 2024

Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) are an important atmospheric aerosol constituent. However, there still needs to be a standard procedure for their sampling size fractionation, which is obstacle the aggregation critical analysis of results obtained by different research groups. This review focuses on fractionation methodologies used MNPs. Moreover, streamlined, simplified methodology proposed.

Language: Английский

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Methods to optimize the collection, pretreatment, extraction, separation, and examination of microplastics in soil, groundwater, and human samples

Journal of Hazardous Materials, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 490, P. 137807 - 137807

Published: March 6, 2025

Language: Английский

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Moss Bags as Biomonitors of Atmospheric Microplastic Deposition in Urban Environments

Biology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 12(2), P. 149 - 149

Published: Jan. 18, 2023

Microplastics (plastic particles <5 mm) were first identified in the environment during 1970s and have since become ubiquitous across every environmental compartment. However, few studies focused on atmospheric microplastics, even fewer used biological monitoring to assess their deposition. Here, we efficacy of moss bags as an active biomonitoring technique for microplastic Moss (Pleurozium schreberi) exposed duplicate at nine deployment sites a gradient urban intensity southern Ontario, Canada. A total 186 microplastics (mp) detected bags, resulting mean accumulation 7.9 mp g-1 dry weight all exposure period (45 days). The median length was 0.56 mm (range 0.03-4.51 mm), dominant type fibres (47%), followed by fragments (39%). Microplastic significantly increased with intensity, ranging from 3.7 low-density suburban areas 10.7 densely populated trafficked areas. In contrast, microfibres proportion dominated (62%) compared (33%). deposition estimated range 21 60 m-2 day-1 sites. results suggest that may be suitable environments.

Language: Английский

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Microplastics in the Atmosphere and Water Bodies of Coastal Agglomerations: A Mini-Review

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 20(3), P. 2466 - 2466

Published: Jan. 30, 2023

Microplastics are ubiquitously in various environments from the equator to poles. Coastal agglomerations act as both a source and sink connecting global microplastic cycles of oceans continents. While problem microplastics is particularly severe complex coastal zones, where inland marine pollution concentrated, present study aimed provide hot topics trends urban studies review researches on atmosphere water bodies terms characteristics, behavior, health threat microplastics. The results bibliometric analysis showed an increase annual output research. Research clusters were analyzed using VOSviewer. Characteristics varied abundance, size, polymer type different countries. Furthermore, cities taken system sort out input, output, internal transmission pathways residents was briefly reviewed exposure risks infants young children particular concern. Detailed comprehensive intervention reduction between bodies, whether harmful children, measures reduce risk needed.

Language: Английский

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Suspended and deposited microplastics in the coastal atmosphere of southwest England

Chemosphere, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 343, P. 140258 - 140258

Published: Sept. 24, 2023

Atmospheric microplastics (MPs) have been sampled from coastal southwest England during twelve periods over a 42-day timeframe in late autumn. MPs were dominated by fibres, with foams, fragments and pellets also observed. The majority of fibres identified as the semisynthetic polymer, rayon, while other shapes various petroleum-based thermoplastics (including polyvinyl acetate, alcohol, polyamide polyester) paints. MP concentrations suspended air ranged 0.016 to 0.238 items per m3 but displayed no clear dependence on wind speed or direction. Total depositional fluxes 0.47 3.30 m-2 h-1 showed conditions electrical conductivity precipitation (as measure maritime influence). However, concentration deposited rainwater was inversely related rainfall volume, suggesting that incipient acts efficiently washout microplastics. A comparison size, shape polymer type suggests larger constructed acrylic are preferentially removed atmosphere relative smaller, non-fibrous particles polyester. quantitative provided estimates location- environment-specific net settling velocities between about 7 180 m corresponding residence times for an column 5000 30 700 h. findings study contribute improved understanding occurrence, transport deposition more generally.

Language: Английский

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A review of airborne micro- and nano-plastics: Sampling methods, analytical techniques, and exposure risks

Environmental Pollution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 363, P. 125074 - 125074

Published: Oct. 4, 2024

Atmospheric Micro- and nano-plastics (MNPs) can be easily inhaled ingested by humans have become a global health concern. With the development of instruments techniques, an increasing number sampling analytical methods been applied to study airborne MNPs. Active samplers passive collectors are used collect suspended aerosols atmospheric depositions. Microscopes scanning electron microscopy (SEM) physically identify MNPs, while Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, Pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) polymer compositions However, diversity strategies has greatly limited our ability compare results assess exposure risks. In this review, we extracted data from PubMed, Embase, Scopus 2018 2024 that reported methods, abundance/deposition Through systematic review included 140 articles, emphasized advantages limitations different for collecting analyzing addition, provided in-depth analysis performance specific across environments. Furthermore, current knowledge regarding abundance, deposition, risks risk assessment models discussed. Finally, provide concrete recommendations standardization methods. This identified gaps recommended future research directions

Language: Английский

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Atmospheric deposition of microplastics in urban, rural, forest environments: A case study of Thulamela Local Municipality

PLoS ONE, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 20(3), P. e0313840 - e0313840

Published: March 3, 2025

Microplastic (MP) pollution, a pressing environmental issue globally, has received considerable attention in marine, freshwater and terrestrial environments. However, studies on the deposition of airborne MPs, particularly Southern African regions, have less attention. As such, current study aimed at investigating atmospheric MPs across three different environments, namely urban, rural forest Thulamela Local Municipality, Limpopo, South Africa. We hypothesised that MP will exhibit significant differences between with urban environment having highest fluxes due to dense population area high human activities. The results showed varied significantly ranging from 90.51 ± 15.19 - 355.64 47.65 particles/m2/day, an overall average 211.87 31.44 particles/m2/day. was recorded environment, while lowest observed forested environment. deposited were mainly transparent fibres polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Furthermore, found demonstrated strong positive correlation rainfall, suggesting rainfall events play role transporting MP. further shed light possible fate deposition, which implications for pristine indicating transport potential ecological impacts pollution even populated isolated

Language: Английский

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Breakdown and Modification of Microplastic Beads by Aeolian Abrasion

Environmental Science & Technology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 57(1), P. 76 - 84

Published: Dec. 15, 2022

Saltation is an important wind erosion process that can cause the modification and breakdown of particles by aeolian abrasion. It recognized microplastic be transported wind, but effect saltation on properties unknown. This study examined impact simulated alongside quartz grains size, shape, surface spherical beads. The diameter microplastics was reduced 30–50% over 240–300 h abrasion with a mass loss c. 80%. For periods up to 200 h, beads remained minimal change overall shape. Over 95% fragments plastic removed from microbeads during had ≤10 μm. In addition, process, fine derived became attached surfaces resulting in reduction carbon increase silicon detected particle surface. results suggest may mechanically broken down small produced have potential for long distance transport as well being within size range human respiration.

Language: Английский

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