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Morphology-dependent transport of atmospheric microplastics and the indicator role of polyester fibers across the estuarine- offshore gradient
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Scientists studying air above the Yangtze River Estuary found that tiny plastic fibers, mostly from polyester fabrics, can float long distances through the air from land out to sea, while other plastic fragment shapes tend to fall closer to shore. This matters because it shows how far and wide these airborne plastic bits can travel before we breathe them in or they settle into oceans and food chains, and it suggests polyester fibers could serve as a useful marker for tracking plastic pollution levels worldwide.
Atmosphere is an important route for the transport of terrestrial microplastics (MPs) from land to sea, but research on the extent of atmospheric MP transport is limited due to sampling and quantification challenges. Here we focused on a typical land-sea interface, the Yangtze River Estuary, to investigate the transport characteristics and deposition flux of atmospheric MPs. Results show that the particle abundance and mass concentration were 0.03 ± 0.02 item/m and 0.01 ± 0.02 μg/m, respectively. No significant spatial or seasonal (summer, autumn and winter) variation was found, indicating a stable distribution pattern. The atmospheric deposition flux of MPs above the Yangtze River Estuary was estimated to be 0.04 ± 0.08 t/yr. Of note, morphology was found to be an important factor controlling their distribution and transport potential. By using a shape-dependent drag model, we estimated the settling velocities for different non-spherical MPs. Fibers, which account for 90.19% of all MPs, exhibited a relatively lower settling velocity (∼0.05 m/s), indicating high atmospheric transport capability from land to sea. In contrast, non-fibrous MPs showed substantially higher settling velocities (∼0.75 m/s) and a corresponding decline in abundance from inner to offshore regions. Across the estuarine gradient, fibrous polyester MPs were found in consistent abundance, suggesting they can record background atmospheric MP pollution levels and could contribute as reliable evidence required for plastic pollution management and the development of a global plastics treaty.
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Physicochemical characteristics of airborne microplastics of a typical coastal city in the Yangtze River Delta Region, China
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Researchers characterized airborne microplastics in a coastal city in China's Yangtze River Delta, comparing daytime and nighttime concentrations and tracing their sources. They found that fibers were the most common shape, with polyester and rayon dominating, and that microplastic levels were higher during the day when human activity was greater. Atmospheric transport from both land and sea contributed to the pollution, highlighting that airborne microplastics are a significant and complex source of human exposure.
Long-distance atmospheric transport of microplastic fibers depends on their shapes
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This study investigated how the shape of microplastic fibers affects how far they travel through the atmosphere. Long, thin fibers stay airborne longer and can be transported greater distances than compact fragments, explaining why synthetic textile fibers are so widely found in remote environments.
Characterization of atmospheric microplastics in Hangzhou, a megacity of the Yangtze river delta, China
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Researchers characterized atmospheric microplastics in Hangzhou, a major city in China's Yangtze River Delta. They found that airborne microplastics were predominantly fibers, with tire wear particles and polyethylene terephthalate being the most common polymer types. The annual dry deposition of microplastics across the urban area was estimated at nearly 17 tons, highlighting the scale of airborne microplastic pollution in densely populated regions.
Navigating the difference of riverine microplastic movement footprint into the sea: Particle properties influence
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Researchers mapped how different types of microplastic particles move from the Yangtze River into the sea based on their size, shape, and polymer type. They found that particle properties strongly influence transport patterns, with lighter and smaller particles traveling farther into the ocean while heavier ones settle near the estuary. The study provides a framework for predicting where different microplastics end up after leaving river systems.
Unveiling the seasonal transport and exposure risks of atmospheric microplastics in the southern area of the Yangtze River Delta, China
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Researchers measured airborne microplastics in the city of Ningbo, China, finding an average of 0.145 particles per cubic meter of air, with urban areas having about 70% more than surrounding rural regions. Most airborne microplastics were fibers smaller than 1 millimeter, mainly from synthetic textiles and local industry, with levels highest in winter. The study estimated that trillions of microplastic particles are suspended in the air over this single city, highlighting the scale of airborne microplastic exposure for urban populations.
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