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Spatial distribution of atmospheric microplastics in bulk-deposition of urban and rural environments – A one-year follow-up study in northern Germany
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Researchers conducted a year-long study of atmospheric microplastic deposition across urban and rural sites in northern Germany, finding spatial and temporal variation in microplastic fallout patterns that help quantify environmental input rates.
Atmospheric microplastic deposition rates play a crucial role for calculating the input of microplastics in the environment and to further understand pollution patterns. In this study, the spatial and temporal distribution of atmospheric microplastic particles in urban and rural areas of Northern Germany was investigated. Therefore, eleven structurally diverse locations in Hamburg and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania were equipped with bulk-deposition samplers in triplicates and sampled monthly between August 2019 and July 2020. The resulting 306 samples were treated with hydrogen peroxide (30 %) and sodium hypochlorite (6-14 %) to digest biological organic matter. The filters were subsequently stained with the lipophilic dye Nile Red and underwent visual microplastic identification via fluorescence microscopy. Fragments and fibers were quantified down to a cut-off size of 10 μm. The polymer composition of microplastic particles was investigated along a subset of particles via μ-Raman spectroscopy. The microplastic deposition rate for Northern Germany (89 ± 61 MP/m/day) is in the same order of magnitude as those reported by previous studies. Significant differences in microplastic deposition rates were found between urban and rural sampling sites. Population density was identified as an important factor for greater amounts of microplastics and higher shares of fibers in urban samples. Special attention was given to the canopy cover at two forested sampling sites and an influence of the comb-out effect on atmospheric microplastic deposition was detected.
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Spatial distribution of atmospheric microplastics in bulk deposition of urban and rural environments of Northern Germany
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Atmospheric microplastic deposition rates were measured across urban, sub-urban, and rural areas of northern Germany over an extended period, finding that deposition occurred everywhere but was highest in urban zones. Fibers were the most common type, with textile and tire sources implicated as major contributors. The study demonstrates that atmospheric deposition is a significant and geographically widespread pathway for microplastics entering ecosystems far from their source.
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Researchers measured both wet and dry atmospheric deposition of microplastic particles in central Germany across different weather conditions. The study shows that atmospheric microplastic fallout is a real pathway delivering plastic particles into terrestrial and aquatic environments.
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This study conducted extensive atmospheric microplastic deposition monitoring in North Wales, UK, combining local data with global collaborations to characterize deposition rates, polymer types, and seasonal patterns, finding measurable microplastic fallout even in rural areas.
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Microplastic abundance in atmospheric deposition within the Metropolitan area of Hamburg, Germany
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Researchers measured atmospheric microplastic deposition across urban and rural sites in the Hamburg metropolitan region over 12 weeks, finding a mean of 275 particles per m² per day with polyethylene fragments dominant, and unexpectedly higher concentrations at rural sites under conifer forest canopy than at urban locations, suggesting forest combing effects and agricultural inputs as significant deposition drivers.
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