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Microplastics in air and their relationship with climatic variables
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Researchers measured tiny plastic particles falling from the air in three Mexican cities, finding mostly fibers and small fragments. Rainfall showed the strongest link to higher microplastic levels, while wind speed had a moderate connection in two cities and temperature showed little relationship.
The presence of microplastics in the atmosphere has emerged as an environmental concern due can enter the body through the respiratory system. The present study quantified atmospheric microplastic deposition in Mexico City, State of Mexico (EdoMex), and Puebla (Puebla). In addition, the relationship between microplastic deposition and key meteorological variables. Microplastics were quantified using a modified passive sampler. The results confirmed the presence of atmospheric microplastics in three study areas, with fibers and mini-microplastics being the dominant categories. Pearson correlation analysis revealed consistent positive relationships between microplastic abundance and precipitation suggesting an important contribution of atmospheric scavenging and wet deposition processes. In contrast, wind speed exhibited moderate positive correlations in Mexico City and the State of Mexico, consistent with particle transport and resuspension mechanisms. Air temperature showed weak or negligible relationships with microplastic deposition. Overall, the findings indicate that precipitation is the primary meteorological factor controlling atmospheric microplastic deposition.
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Role of meteorological variables in shaping airborne microplastic concentrations: Evidence from two metropolitan areas in Brazil
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Researchers found that the air in two Brazilian cities contained tiny plastic particles, but the drier, warmer city had up to 30 times more airborne microplastics than the rainier city—suggesting rain helps wash these particles out of the air while heat and dry conditions let them build up and get stirred back into the atmosphere. This matters because it means the amount of plastic you're breathing in may depend heavily on local weather patterns, and as climate patterns shift, some places could see rising exposure to these particles, which have been linked to potential health concerns when inhaled.
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Researchers linked microplastic fallout rates in precipitation to atmospheric air mass movements, finding that wind and rain transport microplastics from urban and agricultural source regions to remote locations. The study demonstrated that microplastics are now cycling through the atmosphere much like natural aerosols.
Relationship of Suspended Atmospheric Microplastics and Meteorological Parameters in Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur
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Researchers examined the relationship between suspended atmospheric microplastics and meteorological parameters in Kuala Lumpur, finding that weather conditions including temperature, humidity, and wind patterns influence airborne microplastic concentrations.
Quick analysis of the influence of the monsoon on the concentration of microplastics in the air
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Researchers analysed how monsoon rainfall affected atmospheric microplastic concentrations, finding that precipitation events redistributed plastic particles and temporarily increased concentrations of certain polymer types in air samples. The study identifies rainwater as both a carrier and a concentrating medium for atmospheric microplastics.
Occurrence and characteristics of atmospheric microplastics in Mexico City
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Researchers conducted the first study of atmospheric microplastics in Mexico City, sampling air at seven monitoring stations across urban, residential, and industrial areas during dry and wet seasons. Microplastics were found in every sample, with higher concentrations near industrial and urban centers and during the dry season. The predominant type was blue fibers, and many particles were small enough to be inhaled, raising concerns about airborne microplastic exposure in densely populated cities.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.