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An Assessment of distribution of Airborne Microplastic using Epiphytic Crustose Lichens in Surrounding Areas of an Open Dumpsite of a Plastic Crusher Plant at Kanadola, Sri Lanka
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By collecting lichen samples at increasing distances from a plastic crushing plant in Sri Lanka, researchers detected significantly more airborne microplastics near the facility than at a control forest site, with no significant difference between the 50-meter and 50–100-meter zones. The findings demonstrate that industrial plastic processing sites are point sources of airborne microplastic emissions, and that lichens can serve as low-cost passive biomonitors for tracking atmospheric plastic pollution around such facilities.
Airborne microplastics (AMPs) have gained significant global attention due to their presence in the atmosphere and potential risks to human health and the environment. This study focuses on the assessment of microplastic contamination in the air originating from an open dumpsite of a plastic crusher plant in Kanadola, Sri Lanka. Epiphytic crustose lichen samples were collected from trees using stratified random sampling. The study area was divided into three sampling zones based on the distance from the plastic crusher plant: a proximate zone (n=4, 50 m), an intermediate zone (n=3, 50-100 m), and a distant zone (n=3, 100-200 m). In addition, epiphytic crustose lichen samples (n=3) were collected from an undisturbed forest patch at Kumbalgama, as the background control experiment. The acid-digestion method was employed to release the accumulated microplastics from the lichen thallus. Microscopic analysis and a hot needle test were used for microplastic visual inspection and identification, respectively. The total number of microplastics per 1 g of dry weight of lichen in each sampling zone was statistically analyzed using one-way ANOVA and the results revealed a significant difference (P=0.003) in AMPs distribution among the sampling zones. Post-hoc pairwise comparisons using the Tukey test indicated no significant difference in AMPs distribution between the proximate zone and the intermediate zone, but it significantly differed from the control site. In conclusion, this study highlights substantial plastic pollution in the proximate zone and the intermediate zones of the plastic crusher plant site compared to the forest (control) site. The findings underscore the potential of lichen as a biomonitoring agent for qualitative and quantitative analysis of airborne microplastic pollution.
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An Assessment of Airborne Microplastic Distribution in Sri Lanka by Using Lichens
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Using lichens collected at varying distances from an open dumpsite and plastic crusher plant in Sri Lanka, researchers found that airborne microplastic concentrations decreased with distance from the source, confirming these industrial plastic-handling sites as significant local emitters of airborne microplastic particles. Lichens proved to be practical passive samplers for monitoring airborne microplastic deposition. Inhalation of airborne microplastics near such facilities could represent a meaningful exposure route for nearby communities.
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Microplastics were found in lichen thalli collected from various sites, making lichens useful bioindicators for monitoring local and temporal patterns of atmospheric microplastic deposition. The study shows that lichens passively accumulate airborne plastics and can provide a record of pollution over time.
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Lichens collected at varying distances from an Italian landfill showed the highest microplastic accumulation (147 mp/g dry weight) closest to the facility, with counts declining at 200 m and 1,500 m, confirming that landfills are a source of airborne microplastic deposition.
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