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Hurricane transport of ocean-sourced microplastic in the North Atlantic
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Researchers found that Atlantic hurricanes can pick up microplastics from ocean surface waters and transport them as airborne particles, depositing them far from their origin. This study reveals that extreme weather events are an important but overlooked pathway for spreading microplastic pollution to remote regions.
Abstract The atmosphere can transport large quantities of microplastics (MPs) and disperse them throughout the globe to locations inaccessible by many other transport mechanisms. Meteorological events, such as tropical cyclones, have been proven to pick up and transport particulate matter, however, how hurricanes influence the transport and deposition of atmospheric MPs is still poorly understood. In this study, we collected samples of atmospheric fallout from Hurricane Larry as it passed over Newfoundland, Canada in September 2021. During the storm peak, 1.13 x 10 5 particles m -2 day -1 were deposited. Back-trajectory modelling and polymer type analysis indicate that those MPs may have been ocean-sourced as the hurricane passed over the garbage patch of the North Atlantic Gyre. This study identifies for the first time the influence of North Atlantic hurricanes on the atmospheric transport of ocean-sourced MPs, providing new insight to one, potential key mechanism controlling remote terrestrial MPs occurrence.
More Papers Like This
Transport and deposition of ocean-sourced microplastic particles by a North Atlantic hurricane
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During Hurricane Larry in 2021, researchers collected atmospheric samples over Newfoundland and found that the storm deposited over 113,000 microplastic particles per square meter per day. Analysis suggests the particles were picked up from the North Atlantic garbage patch as the hurricane passed over it. This study shows that major storms can transport ocean microplastics through the air to remote areas, expanding the reach of plastic pollution.
Airborne microplastic particles detected in the remote marine atmosphere
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Researchers detected airborne microplastic particles — including polystyrene, polyethylene, and polypropylene — in aerosol samples collected over the remote North Atlantic Ocean far from land. Back trajectory analysis and matching polymer types in both air and seawater suggest the ocean surface itself is a source of airborne microplastics, with true particle counts likely higher than detected since only particles above 5 micrometers were analyzed.
Micro(nano)plastics in the atmosphere of the Atlantic Ocean.
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This study characterized micro- and nanoplastic particles in atmospheric aerosols collected on a transect from Spain to Chile across the Atlantic Ocean, finding plastics present throughout the open ocean atmosphere. The findings demonstrate that long-range atmospheric transport is a significant pathway for spreading microplastics from source regions across the global ocean.
Chasing plastic storms: Assessing atmospheric microplastic deposition by a ‘pulse event’ of tropical storm Fiona in Eastern Canada
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Researchers geospatially analysed atmospheric microplastic deposition during tropical storm Fiona, one of the most destructive storms on record for Eastern Canada, using a unique time series to track how the extreme weather event mobilised and redistributed anthropogenic microdebris across terrestrial, aquatic, and marine environments. The study found that extreme meteorological events represent a significant and undercharacterised pathway for concentrated atmospheric microplastic deposition over large areas.
Supplementary data
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This is a supplementary dataset for a study tracking the transport and deposition of ocean-sourced microplastic particles carried by a North Atlantic hurricane — not a standalone article.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.