We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Concentration of Microplastics in Road Dust as a Function of the Drying Period—A Case Study in G City, Korea
Summary
Microplastic concentrations in road dust were measured as a function of dry weather duration in a Korean city, finding that plastic levels increased with longer drying periods and were dominated by tire wear and road marking particles. The results suggest that dry periods followed by rainfall events create pulses of microplastic runoff from road surfaces.
Microplastics (MPs) are plastic particles < 5 mm in diameter, which are detected in air, soil, and water, causing various environmental problems. In total, 37.3% of MPs are generated from point pollution sources and 62.7% from non-point sources; most of the non-point-source MPs are from vehicles tires, road-marking paint, and bitumen used in road pavements. In this study, the concentrations of MPs generated from roads in Goyang city, South Korea, were examined in terms of the drying period (0, 1, 2, or 3 d). Road dust sampling was performed at the kerb and quantitative and qualitative analyses were conducted for each sample. The MP concentrations were 552 (±39) MPs g−1 for a 0 d drying period and 1530 (±602) MPs g−1 for a 3 d drying period, confirming that the MP concentration in road dust increased with the increase in drying period. Among the detected substances, black particles accounted for the highest proportion (72%) and were found to be bitumen and tyre particles. This study also confirmed that the MPs accumulated on roads were washed away when rainfall exceeded a certain amount.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Occurrence and characteristics of microplastics in surface road dust in Kusatsu (Japan), Da Nang (Vietnam), and Kathmandu (Nepal)
Microplastics were detected in road dust sampled from three Asian cities (Kusatsu in Japan, Da Nang in Vietnam, and Kathmandu in Nepal), with concentrations and polymer types varying by city and sampling location. The study demonstrates that road surfaces are a major reservoir of microplastics in urban environments across diverse Asian contexts.
Identification, classification and quantification of microplastics in road dust and stormwater
Researchers identified and quantified microplastics in road dust and stormwater, finding significantly higher concentrations in industrial areas compared to residential zones, with tire wear particles and polyethylene fragments being the most common types.
Spatiotemporal occurrence and characteristics of microplastics in the urban road dust in a megacity, eastern China
Researchers collected road dust samples from different areas of Nanjing, a major city in eastern China, and found an average of 143 microplastic particles per square meter. Commercial and heavy industrial zones had the highest contamination levels, with 29 different polymer types identified across the city. The study found that urban land use, recent rainfall, and particulate matter levels were the main factors influencing microplastic pollution patterns in road dust.
Resuspension of microplastics and microrubbers in a semi-arid urban environment (Shiraz, Iran)
Researchers quantified airborne microplastics and microrubbers in road dust across Shiraz, Iran, finding significant resuspension of particles up to 177 cm above road level, highlighting an underappreciated exposure pathway for urban populations.
Quantification of microplastic by particle size down to 1.1 μm in surface road dust in an urban city, Japan
Researchers quantified microplastics in urban road dust in Japan down to 1.1 micrometers, revealing that smaller size fractions contained disproportionately higher particle counts and that roads are a significant source of fine microplastic pollution.