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Diurnal Dynamics of Atmospheric Microplastic Content in the Central Regions of Uzbekistan
Summary
Scientists found tiny plastic particles floating in the air in two cities in Uzbekistan, with the highest levels during morning and afternoon hours when people are most active. Both the industrial city and residential city had similar amounts of these microplastics in the air, suggesting that everyday activities in neighborhoods create just as much plastic pollution as factories. This matters because people breathe in these plastic particles daily, but we still don't fully understand the long-term health effects of inhaling microplastics.
Data on atmospheric microplastics (AMPs) in Central Asia remain scarce despite increasing documentation of aquatic contamination. This study assesses AMP dynamics in two distinct regions of Uzbekistan: Navoi (industrial) and Bukhara (residential). Sampling was conducted at a height of 15 m using a Lanzoni VPPS 2010 volumetric trap, with samples analyzed in two-hour intervals to evaluate diurnal variability. Identification followed standardized visual criteria and the “hot needle test.” Microplastics (fibers and fragments) were ubiquitous at both sites. Mean concentrations in Bukhara (0.83 ± 0.42 items/L) and Navoi (0.69 ± 0.35 items/L) showed no statistically significant difference (p = 0.5639). Morphological analysis revealed a prevalence of fibers (1000 – 4000 µm). Diurnal peaks during morning and early afternoon correlated with anthropogenic activity and arid-zone thermal convection. The results suggest an “urban carpet” effect in Bukhara equivalent to the industrial load in Navoi. This study establishes a vital baseline for the Kyzylkum region’s atmospheric MP cycles.