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Microbiome in Atmospheric Microplastics and Microplastic Deposition on Symbiotic Organisms

2025
Kulathi Nishshankage, Ishani Gunasekara, Meththika Vithanage

Summary

This review examines microbiomes associated with atmospheric microplastics and the deposition of airborne MPs on symbiotic organisms, covering the composition of plastic-associated airborne microbial communities and their potential health and ecological implications.

Atmospheric microplastics have become a pressing environmental concern due to their widespread presence in the air we breathe. The atmosphere includes ambient air, deposition, and dust capable of resuspension into the air. Microplastics are any synthetic solid particle or polymeric matrix, with regular or irregular shape and size ranging from 1 μm to 5 mm, of either primary or secondary manufacturing origin, which are insoluble in water. These tiny plastic particles finally end up in different environmental compartments including the atmosphere. The studies have reported the presence of microplastics in the air of different regions and in air masses over the water bodies demonstrating the capability of long-range transport and wide spatial distribution of microplastics. The impact of atmospheric microplastics on the environment and human health is significant, with studies highlighting their potential to contaminate soil, water, and even the food chain.

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