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Quantification of the Emission of Atmospheric Microplastics and Nanoplastics via Sea Spray
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Researchers conducted lab experiments to measure how microplastics and nanoplastics in the ocean get launched into the atmosphere through sea spray bubbles. They found that plastic particles smaller than 10 micrometers can become airborne this way, with smaller and less dense particles being emitted more easily. This reveals an important but underappreciated pathway by which ocean plastic pollution can reach inland areas and be inhaled by people.
There is growing interest in the transfer of micro- and nanoplastics (MNP) to the atmosphere from the ocean via sea spray, and a limited number of studies have quantified this emission. This study addresses the uncertainty surrounding existing global oceanic MNP emission estimates by developing an experimentally based emission parametrization. We conducted systematic laboratory experiments to understand the impact of MNP size, density, and concentration in water on their aerosolization. The results show that the MNP considered in this study, with a diameter of ≤10 μm, can be emitted via bubble bursting, with the aerosolization increasing monotonically with an increase in the concentration in water and decreasing with an increase in the particle size. Floating polyethylene MNP are observed to be less effectively aerosolized than polystyrene MNP dispersed in bulk water. Using the developed emission parametrization, we estimate that the upper limit of yearly MNP oceanic emission is 50.7 (14.2–93.4) quadrillion (1015) pieces year–1 and 1.66 (0.72–4.13) t year–1. The experimental measurements and ensuing parametrization developed in this study are a timely contribution to the atmospheric microplastic modeling community and will help in further constraining the oceanic source of atmospheric MNP and their potential climatic, environmental, and health implications.
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This study found that microplastics and nanoplastics in ocean water can become airborne through sea spray and be inhaled by people near coastlines. Smaller plastic particles were launched into the air more efficiently than larger ones, and the researchers estimated that people living near the coast could inhale thousands of plastic particles per year through this route. This reveals a previously underappreciated pathway for human exposure to microplastics beyond eating and drinking.
Microplastics transfer from the ocean to the atmosphere through aerosolization: insights under controlled laboratory conditions
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Researchers conducted controlled laboratory experiments to study how microplastics are transferred from ocean water to the atmosphere through the formation of sea spray aerosols. Understanding this aerosolization pathway is important for quantifying how much microplastic reaches the atmosphere from ocean surfaces and ultimately falls on land or other ocean areas far from original sources.
A systematic experimental investigation of micro- and nanoplastics aerosolization by oceanic breaking waves
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A systematic experimental study investigated how and to what extent microplastics and nanoplastics are ejected from the ocean surface into the atmosphere through sea spray and bubble bursting. The results showed that a range of particle sizes and types can be aerosolized, but the efficiency varies depending on particle properties and sea conditions. These findings help quantify a potentially significant pathway for microplastics to re-enter terrestrial environments after initially reaching the ocean.
Emission of Microplastics via Sea Spray Aerosol: A Generalizable Enrichment Framework for Marine Constituents
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Ocean waves and sea foam can fling tiny plastic particles from seawater into the air we breathe, and this study shows that how much gets released depends on the plastic's size, shape, and even whether it's been weathered or coated in ocean grime. This matters because it means microplastics floating out at sea aren't staying put, they can travel through the air, potentially reaching our lungs and remote environments far from the coast, making this an important piece of the puzzle for understanding our real-world exposure to plastic pollution.
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