We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Traffic Intensity as a Factor Influencing Microplastic and Tire Wear Particle Pollution in Snow Accumulated on Urban Roads
AI summary Read the abstract
This study examined how traffic volume influences microplastic and tire wear particle (TWP) concentrations in snow accumulated on urban roads in a medium-sized Polish city. Higher traffic intensity corresponded with significantly greater microplastic and TWP concentrations, confirming roads as major point sources of synthetic particle pollution in urban snowpack.
Traffic-related roads are an underestimated source of synthetic particles in the environment. This study investigated the impact of traffic volume on microplastic (MP) and tire wear particle (TWP) pollution in road snow. An examination was conducted in a medium-sized city situated in northeastern Poland, known for being one of the cleanest regions in the country. MPs and TWPs were found at all 54 sites, regardless of the intensity of traffic. The average concentration for all samples was 354.72 pcs/L. Statistically significant differences were found between the average values of the particle concentration on low, medium, and heavy traffic roads, amounting to 62.32 pcs/L, 335.97 pcs/L, and 792.76 pcs/L, respectively. Within all three studied groups of roads, MPs and TWPs with the smallest size, ranging from 50 to 200 μm, were prevalent. In all of the studied groups of roads, four analyzed shapes of particles were found, with irregular fragments being the most abundant form (89.23%). The most frequently recorded color among the collected samples was black (99.85%), and the least frequently recorded color was blue, constituting only 0.01%. This study suggests that snow cover on the roads may act like a temporary storage of pollutants during winter particularly in the temperate climate zone and, after thawing can significantly increase the concentration of MPs and TWPs in surface waters. Possible measures to decrease the release of MPs and TWPs into the environment in the city may include reducing the traffic volume and speed, implementing street sweeping, utilizing filtration chambers, and installing stormwater bioretention systems or settling ponds.
More Papers Like This
Traffic Intensity as a Factor Influencing Microplastic and Tire Wear Particle Pollution in Snow Accumulated on Urban Roads
AI summary Read the abstract
A study in a medium-sized Polish city found microplastics and tire wear particles at all 53 road sites examined, with concentrations in road snow scaling strongly with traffic volume — from roughly 62 particles per liter on quiet streets to nearly 793 on heavy-traffic roads. Snow acts as a temporary reservoir, concentrating these particles through winter before releasing them in large pulses into rivers and streams during spring melt. The findings suggest that reducing traffic speeds, sweeping roads regularly, and installing stormwater filters are practical measures to limit urban microplastic runoff.
Occurrence of tire and road wear particles in urban and peri-urban snowbanks, and their potential environmental implications
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers analyzed urban and peri-urban snowbanks in Norway and found significant concentrations of tire and road wear particles, confirming roads as a major source of microplastic pollution. The study is among the first to measure mass concentrations of these particles in snow, providing important data on how they accumulate and are transported in cold climates. The findings suggest that snowmelt may carry substantial loads of tire-derived microplastics into waterways each spring.
Characterisation and spatial distribution of tyre wear particles in Swedish highway snow: Loads into roadside ditches and risk of emissions with snowmelt
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers measured tire wear particles (TWPs) — a major but underappreciated source of microplastic pollution — in snow alongside a Swedish highway and found concentrations up to 1,300 mg/L, with particles decreasing in concentration farther from the road. Because large amounts of TWPs can be rapidly released into waterways when snow melts, the study calls for better snow management practices to prevent this pulse of microplastic contamination.
Microplastics (MPs) in urban roadside snowbanks: Quantities, size fractions and dynamics of release
AI summary Read the abstract
Tire wear particles and road wear particles were found to dominate microplastic contamination in urban roadside snowbanks in northern Sweden, with MPs detected across multiple size fractions. The study documented a large pulse of MP release when snowbanks melt in spring, identifying snowmelt as a seasonal point source of microplastics entering urban waterways.
Microplastics pathways in the urban environment: Urban roadside snowbanks
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers sampled urban roadside snowbanks in a Canadian city and found high concentrations of microplastics, with tire wear particles and synthetic fibers most abundant. The study demonstrates that urban snowbanks accumulate microplastics throughout winter and release a pulse of contamination into waterways when they melt in spring.
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.