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Tracing the air–sea exchange of microplastics over the Caspian Sea
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Researchers combined airborne microplastic sampling over the Caspian Sea with FLEXPART atmospheric dispersion modelling and particulate proxies to show that most airborne MPs during their campaign originated from inland sources such as road dust and textile fibres rather than marine sea spray, highlighting the significance of long-range terrestrial transport.
, indicating broadly balanced coastal transport during the 72 h campaign. To support source attribution, we evaluated co-trapped particulate proxies (sea salt and ash) and combined them with FLEXPART modelling. Trajectory modelling and proxy evidence indicate that most airborne MPs originated from inland sources (e.g., road dust and textile-related fibres), while marine sea-spray contributions were minor during the sampling period. These findings highlight the importance of long-range atmospheric transport in coastal MP pollution and demonstrate how integrating proxy observations with dispersion modelling can help constrain likely source regimes.
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Microplastics in the Atmosphere: A Global Perspective
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This global modeling study found that atmospheric microplastic sources are dominated by land-based transport rather than ocean emissions, challenging earlier assumptions and suggesting that road traffic and other terrestrial activities are the primary drivers of microplastic particle distribution in the atmosphere.
Tracking the sources of atmospheric microplastic using FLEXPART v.
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Researchers used the FLEXPART atmospheric particle dispersion model to track the sources and transport pathways of atmospheric microplastics detected at monitoring sites around the world, accounting for the complex shapes of microplastic fibres that complicate standard atmospheric transport modelling. The study aimed to reduce uncertainty in source attribution for atmospheric microplastics and characterise the relative contributions of different emission sources including urban areas, oceans, and agricultural regions.
Cycling and Geochemical Signatures of Air-Sea Microplastics in the Coastal Region of the Persian Gulf.
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Researchers studying a busy port on the Persian Gulf found that most of the tiny plastic particles floating in coastal air actually come from land — especially fibers shed from clothing and textiles — rather than from the ocean itself, even though sea foam and the ocean's surface film also concentrate these particles. This matters because it shows the air we breathe near coastlines can carry plastic fibers blown in from everyday land activities, meaning efforts to reduce microplastic exposure need to tackle textile pollution and dust on land, not just ocean plastic waste.
Can we identify the dominant sources of atmospheric microplastic?
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Researchers applied Lagrangian back-trajectory modelling using FLEXPART-v11 to atmospheric microplastic observations at multiple global sites including polar regions, marine boundary layers, and high mountain snow, aiming to identify dominant emission sources and quantify their relative contributions to atmospheric MP pollution.
Investigating the Atmospheric Dispersion of Microplastic Particles - A Model Study
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Researchers employed the COSMO-Itpas Lagrangian transport model to simulate the atmospheric dispersion of microplastic particles in central Germany, calculating thousands of particle trajectories to identify connectivity between potential sources such as roads, agricultural areas, and water bodies and detection sites.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.