We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Quick analysis of the influence of the monsoon on the concentration of microplastics in the air
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers analysed how monsoon rainfall affected atmospheric microplastic concentrations, finding that precipitation events redistributed plastic particles and temporarily increased concentrations of certain polymer types in air samples. The study identifies rainwater as both a carrier and a concentrating medium for atmospheric microplastics.
Abstract Microplastic particles are found in various aquatic environments, and numerous studies are being conducted to understand their spatial distribution. However, the amount of microplastics in the air is even greater than that found in these environments, posing a risk to human health and an important primary source of contamination. Rainwater is an important carrier of these contaminants, as they are incorporated into water droplets and can further increase their toxicity when in contact with acid rain. To test the potential for removing microplastics particles from the air by rain, rainwater was collected three times during the rainy season in the municipality of Macapá, Amapá State, Brazil. Chemical digestion and filtration protocols were used to identify the particles. A total of 225 ml of rainwater and 194 inorganic particles (microplastics) were collected, the vast majority of which were classified as fibers (96,9%). Comparing the data obtained with local meteorological data, it was observed that the amount of microplastics collected tends to increase with the number of previous days without rain, indicating that this phenomenon may be serving to eliminate these particles from the air, since the collections that had rain events the previous day presented lower amounts of microplastics.
More Papers Like This
Microplastics are raining down from the sky
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers linked microplastic fallout rates in precipitation to atmospheric air mass movements, finding that wind and rain transport microplastics from urban and agricultural source regions to remote locations. The study demonstrated that microplastics are now cycling through the atmosphere much like natural aerosols.
Microplastics in air and their relationship with climatic variables
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers measured tiny plastic particles falling from the air in three Mexican cities, finding mostly fibers and small fragments. Rainfall showed the strongest link to higher microplastic levels, while wind speed had a moderate connection in two cities and temperature showed little relationship.
Role of meteorological variables in shaping airborne microplastic concentrations: Evidence from two metropolitan areas in Brazil
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that the air in two Brazilian cities contained tiny plastic particles, but the drier, warmer city had up to 30 times more airborne microplastics than the rainier city—suggesting rain helps wash these particles out of the air while heat and dry conditions let them build up and get stirred back into the atmosphere. This matters because it means the amount of plastic you're breathing in may depend heavily on local weather patterns, and as climate patterns shift, some places could see rising exposure to these particles, which have been linked to potential health concerns when inhaled.
Plastic rain—Atmospheric microplastics deposition in urban and peri-urban areas of Patna City, Bihar, India: Distribution, characteristics, transport, and source analysis
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers measured microplastic particles falling from the sky in Patna, India, finding nearly 2,000 particles per square meter per day in urban areas. The plastic "rain" was mostly tiny fibers and fragments made of common plastics like PET and polypropylene. This study shows that breathing outdoor air is another way people are exposed to microplastics, especially in cities.
The atmospheric microplastics deposition contributes to microplastic pollution in urban waters
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated how atmospheric deposition contributes to microplastic pollution in urban waters. The study found that microplastic deposition fluxes were higher during wet weather than dry weather and showed moderate to strong correlations with atmospheric conditions, demonstrating that airborne microplastic fallout is a meaningful source of contamination in urban water environments.
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.