We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Characteristics and potential ecological risk assessment of atmospheric microplastics in Lhasa city
Summary
Researchers investigated atmospheric microplastics in Lhasa City on the Tibetan Plateau during the Tibetan New Year in February 2023, finding an average abundance of 7.15 items per cubic meter with particle sizes ranging from 20 to 297 micrometers, and assessed the potential ecological risks of these suspended microplastics in this high-altitude sentinel environment.
Abstract Atmospheric microplastics is a key contributor to environmental contamination in aquatic and terrestrial systems, posing potential ecological risks. However, studies on atmospheric microplastics are still limited in urban regions of the Tibetan Plateau, a sentinel region to climate and environmental change under the warming climate. Based on samples of suspended atmospheric microplastics (SAMPs) in Lhasa City collected during the Tibetan New Year in February 2023, the occurrence, potential ecological risk of atmospheric microplastics were investigated. The results showed that the average abundance of microplastics in the atmospheric environment of Lhasa was 7.15 ± 2.46 ietms·m− 3.The sizes of detected microplastic ranged from 20.34 µm to 297.18 µm, with approximately 87% smaller than 100 µm. Fragmented microplastics (95.76%) were the dominant format, followed by fibers (3.75%), and pellets (0.49%), respectively. The primary polymer chemical components identified were polyamide (PA,68.73%) and polystyrene (PS,16.61%), respectively. According to the analysis of meteorological data and backward trajectory model, the trajectory of the air mass in Lhasa is obviously westward, and the atmospheric microplastics mainly come from the long-distance transmission of the atmosphere. The results of potential ecological risk index (PERI) assessment indicated that the atmospheric microplastic pollution in Lhasa was at a low level. This study provides valuable insights and a scientific foundation for future research on the prevention and control of atmospheric microplastic pollution in Lhasa and other ecologically sensitive cities.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Characteristics, sources and potential ecological risk of atmospheric microplastics in Lhasa city
Researchers characterized atmospheric microplastics collected at a monitoring site, identifying their sources, size distribution, polymer composition, and potential ecological risks from aerial deposition to terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.
Airborne microplastics in urban, rural and wildland environments on the Tibetan Plateau
Researchers measured airborne microplastic concentrations across urban, rural, and remote wildland sites on the Tibetan Plateau and found microplastics present at all locations, even in pristine high-altitude environments. Urban areas had the highest concentrations, but the presence of microplastics in remote wilderness areas demonstrates long-range atmospheric transport. The study provides some of the first data on airborne microplastic pollution in one of the world's most isolated high-mountain regions.
Atmospheric emissions of microplastics entrained with dust from potential source regions
A year-long study on the remote Tibetan Plateau found microplastics in the atmosphere year-round, with over 92% of particles smaller than 50 micrometers. The research showed that microplastics get swept up along with dust from distant source regions and can travel long distances through the air, meaning even people in remote areas far from cities are exposed to airborne microplastics.
Microplastics and nanoplastics pose risks on the Tibetan Plateau environment
This study documented that microplastics and nanoplastics have reached the Tibetan Plateau through long-range atmospheric transport, threatening one of the world's last relatively pristine environments. The findings highlight the global reach of plastic pollution beyond local sources.
Long-range transport of atmospheric microplastics deposited onto glacier in southeast Tibetan Plateau
Researchers analyzed microplastics in snowpit samples from Demula glacier in the southeast Tibetan Plateau, finding an average of 9.55 particles per liter with seasonal variation showing higher concentrations during the monsoon season. Backward trajectory modeling indicated the particles originated from long-range atmospheric transport from South and East Asian sources, and meltwater exports were estimated at 5.9 to 6.6 times 10 to the 11 particles per year.