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Advancing data processing for microplastics characterization: Laser direct infrared (LDIR) analysis of atmospheric deposition in Cienfuegos, Cuba
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Scientists in Cuba applied an automated data-processing workflow to characterize microplastics collected from the atmosphere at both a rural coastal site and an urban coastal site in Cienfuegos. They identified 11 different synthetic polymers in the airborne particles, with polyamide, polypropylene, polyurethane, and polyethylene making up the majority at both locations, though synthetic particles accounted for less than 6% of all collected particles. This study fills an important gap in atmospheric microplastic research from the Caribbean and demonstrates a replicable method for quantifying airborne plastic pollution.
This study developed and applied an automated workflow for post-processing laser direct infrared (LDIR) data, enabling efficient microplastics characterization, including particle count, size, shape, chemical composition, mass, and error estimation. The method was used to evaluate atmospheric microplastics in a rural and an urban coastal environment in Cienfuegos, Cuba, providing valuable insights into microplastic loads and addressing gaps in quantification methods. A total of 11 different synthetic polymers, consistently representing less than 6% of the total collected particles across both sites, were identified. Polyamide, polypropylene, polyurethane, and polyethylene, accounting for over 55% of the particles in each sample, were the predominant polymers at both sites. Size and shape analysis revealed that most particles were smaller than 100 μm (>75%), with low variability between the studied sites. Atmospheric deposition rates exhibited significant monthly variability (23-260 microplastics m -2 day -1 ), and mass deposition rates suggested that Cienfuegos may experience an annual microplastic discharge of 1.4–4.4 kg km -2 consistent with findings from other regions of the world. While the study emphasizes the need for further research to refine methodologies, it fills crucial gaps by examining microplastics in typically understudied areas and achieving a more comprehensive and harmonized assessment of microplastics in environmental studies. • Python application for summarizing and reporting data from LDIR analysis was developed • A method for error estimation in microplastic counting is proposed • Polyamides, polypropylene, and polyurethane particles dominate Cienfuegos' atmosphere • Deposition rates 23-98 and 27-260 MPs m -2 day -1 for rural and urban site, respectively • Atmospheric discharge of 1.4–4.4 kg km -2 y -1 of microplastics estimated in Cienfuegos
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