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Microplastic Deposition Flux in Vienna
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Scientists measured tiny plastic particles falling from the air in Vienna and found that most came from car tire wear rather than clothing fibers like previous studies suggested. These microscopic plastic pieces are constantly raining down on cities, likely coming from local traffic and potentially traveling long distances through the atmosphere. This matters because we're breathing this plastic-contaminated air daily, though more research is needed to understand the full health effects.
Microplastic Deposition Flux in ViennaAtmospheric microplastic deposition presents an important pathway for plastic pollution in all ecosystems, yet quantitative data on atmospheric deposition fluxes in urban areas remain sparse. This study quantifies atmospheric microplastic deposition fluxes in Vienna using a combined observational and modelling approach. Specifically, atmospheric deposition is measured using a wet and dry passive sampler, allowing separate calculations of wet and dry deposition fluxes. Samples are collected daily over one-week campaigns during winter, spring, and autumn to enable the calculation of daily deposition fluxes and evaluation of seasonal variability. These samples are processed using a recently developed technique called oleo extraction and are then analysed via Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and microscopy (Micro-FT-IR) for particle identification and classification. Additionally, wind speed and direction are used in correlation analyses against deposition to assess the influence of local sources, whilst FLEXPART Lagrangian dispersion modelling is applied to evaluate the contribution of long-range atmospheric transport. Preliminary results from the pilot study and autumn sampling campaign have confirmed the identification of microplastic particles in the deposition fluxes (e.g. 40-50 µm fragments of polypropylene and polyvinyl chloride). Alongside this, the preliminary analysis shows in several samples a dominant fraction of dark particles below 10µm in diameter, occasionally detected by the Micro-FT-IR as rubber. Due to their size, morphology and colour, we suspect them to be tire wear particles. This would confirm the dominant role of traffic related sources on the microplastic particles detected in urban air. In contrast to previous studies, the analysis of the first collected samples shows a very low percentage of plastic microfibers. These findings highlight the importance of gaining microplastic deposition fluxes in urban environments, along with their dominant source processes.
More Papers Like This
Quantifying Airborne Micro- and Nanoplastics at the Aerosol Observatory of the University of Vienna
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Scientists in Vienna are measuring tiny plastic particles in the air we breathe and found several types of plastics, including pieces from car tires, floating in the atmosphere. These microscopic plastics are small enough to get deep into our lungs when we breathe, but researchers don't yet know what health effects this might cause. This study is helping scientists understand how much plastic pollution is actually in the air around us, which is an important first step in figuring out if it's harmful to human health.
Wet and dry atmospheric deposition of microplastics in Switzerland
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Scientists found that tiny plastic particles are constantly falling from the sky in Switzerland, with tire dust making up most of this plastic pollution - about 10 times more than other types of plastic. These microplastics are landing on our soil, water, and food sources throughout the country, including in remote mountain areas. This matters because we're being exposed to these plastic particles through the air we breathe and potentially through contaminated food and water.
Modelled atmospheric concentration of tyre wear in an urban environment
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Researchers modeled airborne concentrations of tire wear particles — tiny plastic-containing fragments released when vehicle tires rub against road surfaces — across Stockholm, finding that these microplastic particles are widespread in cities and make up 4–6% of total air particle pollution, with concentrations highest near busy highways and in narrow street canyons.
Size-Resolved Characteristics and Source Influences of Airborne Microplastics in Central Los Angeles
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Researchers measured tiny airborne plastic particles in city air samples collected in central Los Angeles across two seasons. Plastic fibers and small particles were found in every sample, and their levels closely matched levels of dust and traffic-related particles, suggesting shared sources like road dust and vehicle wear rather than weather conditions.
Mass concentrations of common microplastics and tire wear rubbers in urban air
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Researchers measured mass concentrations of common microplastics and tire wear rubber particles in ambient urban air, providing quantitative data on airborne plastic pollution that is scarce compared to research on aquatic environments. Tire wear particles were identified as a significant component of airborne plastic contamination in urban settings.
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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.