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Vertical distribution and transport of microplastics in the urban atmosphere: New insights from field observations
Summary
Researchers conducted field observations of airborne microplastics at four different heights in Guangzhou, China, from ground level up to 488 meters on the Canton Tower. They found that microplastic concentrations decreased with altitude but were still present at the highest sampling point, suggesting that these particles can travel through the atmosphere over long distances. The study provides the first detailed vertical profile of atmospheric microplastics in an urban setting, offering new insights into how these particles are transported through the air.
The distribution and transport of atmospheric microplastics (AMPs) have raised concerns regarding their potential effects on the environment and human health. Although previous studies have reported the presence of AMPs at ground level, there is a lack of comprehensive understanding of their vertical distribution in urban environments. To gain insight into the vertical profile of AMPs, field observations were conducted at four different heights (ground level, 118 m, 168 m and 488 m) of the Canton Tower in Guangzhou, China. Results showed that the profiles of AMPs and other air pollutants had similar layer distribution patterns, although their concentrations differed. The majority of AMPs were composed of polyethylene terephthalate and rayon fibers ranging from 30 to 50 μm. As a result of atmospheric thermodynamics, AMPs generated at ground level were only partially transported upward, leading to a decrease in their abundance with increasing altitude. The study found that the stable atmospheric stability and lower wind speed between 118 m and 168 m resulted in the formation of a fine layer where AMPs tended to accumulate instead of being transported upward. This study for the first time delineated the vertical profile of AMPs within the atmospheric boundary layer, providing valuable data for understanding the environmental fate of AMPs.