We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Atmospheric deposition of microplastics in urban, rural, forest environments: A case study of Thulamela Local Municipality
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers measured airborne microplastic deposition across urban, rural, and forest areas in South Africa and found microplastics falling from the sky everywhere, with urban areas receiving the highest amounts at about 356 particles per square meter per day. This means people are continuously exposed to microplastics through the air they breathe, even in relatively remote locations.
Microplastic (MP) pollution, a pressing environmental issue globally, has received considerable attention in marine, freshwater and terrestrial environments. However, studies on the deposition of airborne MPs, particularly in Southern African regions, have received less attention. As such, the current study aimed at investigating the atmospheric deposition of MPs across three different environments, namely urban, rural and forest in the Thulamela Local Municipality, Limpopo, South Africa. We hypothesised that MP deposition will exhibit significant differences between different environments, with the urban environment having the highest MP deposition fluxes due to the dense population in the area and high human activities. The study results showed that MP deposition fluxes varied significantly across the environments, ranging from 90.51 ± 15.19 - 355.64 ± 47.65 particles/m2/day, with an overall average of 211.87 ± 31.44 particles/m2/day. The highest deposition was recorded in urban environment, while the lowest was observed in the forested environment. The overall deposited MPs were mainly transparent fibres and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Furthermore, MP deposition found in the forest environment demonstrated a strong positive correlation with rainfall, suggesting that rainfall events play a significant role in the transporting and deposition of MP. The study further shed light on the possible fate of urban and rural atmospheric deposition, which has implications for pristine environments, indicating the transport and potential ecological impacts of MP pollution even in less populated and isolated environments.
More Papers Like This
Spatial patterns and short-term deposition of atmospheric microplastics in an urban environment
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that tiny plastic particles (microplastics) are constantly falling from the air in a South African town, with surprisingly higher levels in outlying peri-urban areas than downtown — likely from sources like sewage overflow, littering, and clothing fibers. Most of these particles were tiny fibers, small enough to be breathed in, which matters because scientists are increasingly studying how inhaling microplastics may affect our lungs and health over time. This study is a reminder that the air we breathe, not just the water we drink, is a route of exposure to plastic pollution — one that's still poorly tracked, especially in fast-grow
Wet and dry atmospheric deposition of microplastics at urban, suburban, rural and mountainous sites in Switzerland
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists tracked tiny plastic particles falling from the air (in rain and dust) across Switzerland for a year, finding that cities had roughly three times more microplastic fallout than rural or mountain areas. Since these particles settle onto farmland, water supplies, and everywhere we breathe, live, and grow food, this research helps confirm that air is a major pathway for microplastic exposure—even in areas far from obvious pollution sources.
Plastic rain—Atmospheric microplastics deposition in urban and peri-urban areas of Patna City, Bihar, India: Distribution, characteristics, transport, and source analysis
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers measured microplastic particles falling from the sky in Patna, India, finding nearly 2,000 particles per square meter per day in urban areas. The plastic "rain" was mostly tiny fibers and fragments made of common plastics like PET and polypropylene. This study shows that breathing outdoor air is another way people are exposed to microplastics, especially in cities.
Atmospheric deposition as a pathway for microplastic particles, a case study of the Afromontane ponds
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers measured airborne microplastic fallout in two high-altitude mountain parks in South Africa and Lesotho during dry and wet seasons. The park closer to towns and tourism had more microplastic particles settling from the air than the remote park, with most particles being small, clear fibers made of polyester.
New insights into the long-term dynamics and deposition-suspension distribution of atmospheric microplastics in an urban area
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers tracked airborne microplastics in a city over a full year and found an average of 302 particles per square meter per day falling from the sky, with people potentially inhaling up to 12,777 particles per year. The microplastics came from sources up to 1,750 kilometers away, including traffic, industry, and textiles. This study highlights that breathing is a significant route of microplastic exposure for humans, even for people living far from obvious pollution sources.
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.