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Evaluation of microplastic pollution in Shihezi city, China, using pine needles as a biological passive sampler

The Science of The Total Environment 2022 46 citations ? Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count. Score: 45 ? 0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.

Xiaodong Liu, Shaohua He, Jianjiang Lu, Jianjiang Lu, Jianjiang Lu, Jianjiang Lu, Yanbin Tong, Yanbin Tong, Shaohua He, Zilong Liu, Zilong Liu, Zilong Liu, Yanbin Tong, Zilong Liu, Zilong Liu, Zilong Liu, Zilong Liu, Weijun Li Zilong Liu, Zilong Liu, Nuerguli Xiayihazi, Weijun Li Yanbin Tong, Yanbin Tong, Nuerguli Xiayihazi, Nuerguli Xiayihazi, Nuerguli Xiayihazi, Nuerguli Xiayihazi, Zilong Liu, Jianjiang Lu, Nuerguli Xiayihazi, Jianjiang Lu, Zilong Liu, Weijun Li Nuerguli Xiayihazi, Nuerguli Xiayihazi, Weijun Li Weijun Li Weijun Li

Summary

Pine needles were used as passive samplers to assess atmospheric microplastic pollution in Shihezi, northwest China, finding an average of 16.52 items/g with fragments smaller than 0.05 mm predominating and concentrations varying across different urban functional zones.

Polymers

PE PP PS

Microplastic (MP) pollution has attracted much attention. To understand the characteristics of atmospheric MP pollution in Shihezi, Northwest China, this study used pine needles from trees in Shihezi City as passive samplers. MP contamination was found in all pine needle samples, with an average concentration of 16.52 ± 3.76 items/g. MPs were mainly in the shape of fragments (<0.05 mm). Differences in MP pollution were observed in different functional areas. The abundance of MPs in pine needles was the highest on the main traffic road (19.02 ± 2.52 items/g). Spectral analysis showed that the main polymer of MPs was polyethylene (17.2%), followed by polystyrene (15.5%) and polypropylene (13.8%). By analyzing the principal components and spatial distribution, fragments and pellets were found to have similar sources (mainly industrial activities), whereas films and fibers were influenced by traffic flow. The source of films was related to the packaging industry. The purpose of this study was to provide a reference for the future use of pine needles as atmospheric MP passive samplers, for the traceability and prevention of urban atmospheric MP pollution and for the formulation of national atmospheric MP environmental standards.

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