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Microplastics in the Atmosphere and Water Bodies of Coastal Agglomerations: A Mini-Review
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This review summarizes research on microplastic pollution in the atmosphere and water bodies of coastal cities, which act as both sources and collection points for plastic contamination. Researchers found that fibers and fragments are the most common microplastic shapes in these environments, with concentrations varying based on population density and local activities. The study highlights knowledge gaps in understanding how microplastics cycle between urban, marine, and atmospheric environments in coastal areas.
Microplastics are ubiquitously in various environments from the equator to the poles. Coastal agglomerations act as both a source and sink connecting the global microplastic cycles of oceans and continents. While the problem of microplastics is particularly severe and complex in the coastal zones, where both inland and marine pollution are concentrated, the present study aimed to provide hot topics and trends of coastal urban microplastic studies and to review the researches on microplastic pollution in the atmosphere and water bodies in coastal agglomerations in terms of characteristics, behavior, and health threat of microplastics. The results of the bibliometric analysis showed an increase in the annual output of microplastic research. Research hot topics and clusters were analyzed using the VOSviewer. Characteristics of microplastics varied in abundance, size, and polymer type in different environments and countries. Furthermore, coastal cities are taken as a system to sort out the input, output, and internal transmission pathways of microplastics. The health threat of microplastics to urban residents was briefly reviewed and the exposure and health risks of microplastics to infants and young children were of particular concern. Detailed and comprehensive studies on intervention and reduction in the transmission of microplastics between the atmosphere and water bodies, whether microplastics are harmful to infants and young children, and measures to reduce the risk of microplastic exposure are needed.
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Atmospheric microplastics: A review on current status and perspectives
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This review summarizes current knowledge about microplastics detected in the atmosphere of urban, suburban, and remote areas around the world. Researchers found that airborne microplastic concentrations vary by one to three orders of magnitude across different locations, with fibers and fragments being the most common shapes. The study highlights the need for standardized sampling methods and further research to understand how atmospheric microplastics affect human health.
Microplastics and nanoplastics in the air: a review
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This review examines the occurrence, sources, physicochemical characteristics, and sampling and analytical methods for microplastics and nanoplastics in atmospheric air across urban, industrial, coastal, and remote environments. The authors find that fibers and fragments are the dominant atmospheric microplastic forms, that no standardized sampling methods currently exist, and that both passive and active collection approaches are used across the literature with limited comparability.
Status and prospects of atmospheric microplastics: A review of methods, occurrence, composition, source and health risks
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This review summarized the sampling methods, occurrence, composition, sources, and health risks of atmospheric microplastics. Researchers found that airborne microplastics are detected both indoors and outdoors, with fibers being the most common shape, and that inhalation represents an important but understudied exposure pathway. The study suggests that atmospheric transport plays a significant role in the global distribution of microplastic pollution.
Microplastics in the urban atmosphere: Sources, occurrences, distribution, and potential health implications
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This review summarizes research on airborne microplastics in cities, finding that indoor sources like textiles and outdoor sources like traffic-related plastic particles are major contributors. Microplastic concentrations in urban air can be significant, especially in densely populated areas, and people can inhale these particles daily. The health implications of breathing in microplastics are still being studied, but early evidence suggests they may cause lung inflammation and other respiratory problems.
Mini-review of microplastics in the atmosphere and their risks to humans
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This mini-review summarizes emerging research on microplastics detected in atmospheric fallout from cities, finding that synthetic textile fibers are the primary source and most common shape of airborne microplastics. Researchers note that these small particles can be directly inhaled, posing particular health risks to industrial workers and people with compromised immune systems. The study also highlights that airborne microplastics contribute to contamination of water and soil environments when they settle.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.