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The abundance, characteristics and ecological risk assessment of microplastics in rainwater – Preliminary study
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Researchers measured microplastic contamination in rainwater collected monthly throughout 2023 in both a Polish village and a nearby city, finding significantly higher concentrations in the urban setting (averaging 214 particles per liter) with rubber — largely from tire wear — making up the dominant type. Ecological risk assessment indicated a high to very high risk, raising concerns about using rainwater directly without treatment.
The deficit of water resources results in an increasing interest in the possibilities of using rainwater. Direct use of rainwater raises concerns due to the potential presence of micropollutants, including microplastic particles. The article presents results on the pollution of rainwater with microplastics (MPs). The samples were collected in Mala, a village and in the city of Rzeszow. The samples were collected once a month, from January to December 2023. Samples from Rzeszow were more contaminated with MPs. The mean abundance of MPs was 93.75 ± 58.67 and 213.83 ± 190.92 items/dm 3 in Mala and Rzeszow, respectively. The number of MPs detected varied depending on the season. Greater air pollution in the form of MPs was recorded in the autumn and winter months. The most frequently detected polymer was rubber. Rubber particles accounted for 79.8 % and 88.3 % of all MPs identified in Rzeszow and Mala, respectively. Ecological risk assessment was performed through the Risk Quotient and the Polymer Hazard Index, with the results indicating a potential risk that ranges from high to very high depending on the applied approach. The results obtained herein contribute new information related to MP transport and deposition in rainfall in Poland.
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Quantifying morphological complexity and wet deposition of suspected microplastics in rainwater: A case study of Wroclaw, Poland
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Scientists studying rainwater in a Polish city found it contains a significant amount of suspected microplastic particles—more in traffic-heavy areas than residential ones—with tiny plastic fibers being the most common type. This matters because it shows these particles are literally falling from the sky into our environment, and understanding their shape helps researchers predict how far they travel through the air and where we might be breathing them in or encountering them in our water supply.
Microplastics in a highway stormwater system: concentrations and variability during rainfall
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Researchers tested stormwater collected during rainfall at a Swedish highway and found microplastics, including tyre-related rubber particles, in every sample. Tyre particles made up about 41% of the total microplastics measured, confirming tyres as a major source, though concentrations varied widely and did not clearly relate to other measured pollutants like metals.
Quantifying Morphological Complexity and Wet Deposition of Microplastics Abundance: A Case Study of Wroclaw, Poland
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Scientists measured tiny plastic particles that fall from the sky in rainwater in Poland and found significant amounts - about 135-168 particles per liter of rainwater. Most of these microplastics were fiber-shaped pieces that likely come from sources like synthetic clothing and vehicle tires. This matters because these plastic particles are constantly raining down on us and our food systems, though more research is needed to understand the full health impacts of this widespread contamination.
Microplastic Presence, Aging, and Potential Sources in Urban Runoff in a Large Piedmont Metropolitan Area: Polymer-Type-Specific Analysis
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Scientists found over 20,000 tiny plastic particles in rainwater runoff from a large metropolitan area, with the plastics coming from both local sources like degraded items on the ground and particles falling from the atmosphere. These microplastics can end up in our water supply and food chain, potentially affecting human health. The study helps identify where these harmful plastic particles come from in big cities, which is important for finding ways to reduce our exposure to them.
Relevance of tyre wear particles to the total content of microplastics transported by runoff in a high-imperviousness urban area.
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This study, published in Portuguese, assessed the relevance of tire wear particles (TWPs) relative to the total microplastic burden transported by river systems in Brazil. The research found that TWPs represent a significant fraction of the microplastics measured in urban and peri-urban watercourses, with concentrations elevated near major roadways. The findings highlight tire wear as a major but underappreciated contributor to freshwater and ultimately marine microplastic pollution in rapidly urbanizing countries.
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