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Non targeted and targeted LC-MS/MS insights into the composition and concentration of atmospheric microplastics and additives: Impacts and regional changes of sandstorms in Shanghai and Hohhot, China
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Researchers analyzed airborne microplastics and plastic additives in two Chinese cities during dust storms and normal conditions, finding that sandstorms significantly increased the concentration of plastic particles in the air. They identified nearly 100 different microplastic compounds and chemical additives, many of which are known to be harmful. Dust storms may be an overlooked mechanism for spreading microplastic contamination over large areas, increasing inhalation exposure for people in affected regions.
Increasing dust storms impact ecosystems and human health by resuspending dust and microplastics. Plastic pollution is a major global concern. This study examines the molecular composition and concentration of atmospheric microplastics and additives in Hohhot and Shanghai, China during dust and non-dust days using non-target and target LC-MS/MS analysis with Multiple Reaction Monitoring (MRM) methodology and a self-established plastic monomers database. In Hohhot, 98 microplastics and additives types were identified on dust days (41 unique) and 70 on non-dust days (10 unique), mainly PEG, HTPE, PET, PPG, and Nylon. The types fluctuate ranging from 35 to 65 due to dusty conditions. In Shanghai, 50 types were identified (no unique), with 25 to 30 types consistently present. Hohhot's microplastics concentration during dust days peaked at 3531.59 ng/m, about three times higher than non-dust days (1669.17 ng/m) and significantly higher than Shanghai's maximum of 589.85 ng/m. Overall, microplastic monomers in both cities were mostly compounds with low unsaturation, indicating potential for long-term atmospheric persistence. Highly reactive monomers like HTPE, PEG, thrive on dust days in Hohhot due to insufficient light and strong winds. These conditions reduce photochemical reactivity, accelerate microplastic aging through collisions, and resuspend more microplastics from the soil, resulting in a wider variety of microplastics with different m/z and carbon contents during sandstorms. On non-dust days, microplastics have more concentrated m/z values, indicating that substances with similar chemical properties disperse more under normal conditions. These findings highlight the significant impact of dust storms on microplastics characteristics. SYNOPSIS: This study indicates that dust storms and regional differences can have significant impacts on the diversity and abundance of atmospheric microplastics.
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