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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Characterization of atmospheric microplastics: A case study in Shenzhen City, a southern coastal area of China
ClearPhysicochemical characteristics of airborne microplastics of a typical coastal city in the Yangtze River Delta Region, China
Researchers characterized airborne microplastics in a coastal city in China's Yangtze River Delta, comparing daytime and nighttime concentrations and tracing their sources. They found that fibers were the most common shape, with polyester and rayon dominating, and that microplastic levels were higher during the day when human activity was greater. Atmospheric transport from both land and sea contributed to the pollution, highlighting that airborne microplastics are a significant and complex source of human exposure.
Assessment of suspended atmospheric microplastics in Tianjin Binhai New Area: characterization, human health risks, and correlation with weather conditions and Air Quality Index
Researchers measured airborne microplastics in an urban area of Tianjin, China, and found them in every sample collected during autumn and winter. The particles were mostly fibers, with polyethylene terephthalate and polyethylene among the most common types, and concentrations varied with weather conditions like humidity and barometric pressure. A health risk assessment suggested that residents face measurable exposure to airborne microplastics, raising concerns about long-term inhalation risks.
Spatial and seasonal variations of airborne microplastics in the emerging megacity of Hangzhou, China
Researchers conducted a year-long sampling campaign across four urban zones in Hangzhou, China, to characterize airborne microplastics at human breathing height. The study found an average of 4.43 particles per cubic meter, with about 89% of particles smaller than 100 micrometers, predominantly fragments composed of polyamide and rubber, showing strong seasonal variation with lowest levels in summer.
Airborne Microplastic Concentrations in Five Megacities of Northern and Southeast China
Researchers used uniform sampling methods to measure airborne microplastic concentrations across five major cities in northern and southeastern China. They found that indoor environments generally had higher microplastic levels than outdoor air, with fibers being the most common particle type. The study provides some of the first directly comparable data on airborne microplastic exposure across multiple cities, suggesting that people in densely populated areas face meaningful inhalation risks.
Characterization of atmospheric microplastics in Hangzhou, a megacity of the Yangtze river delta, China
Researchers characterized atmospheric microplastics in Hangzhou, a major city in China's Yangtze River Delta. They found that airborne microplastics were predominantly fibers, with tire wear particles and polyethylene terephthalate being the most common polymer types. The annual dry deposition of microplastics across the urban area was estimated at nearly 17 tons, highlighting the scale of airborne microplastic pollution in densely populated regions.
Microplastic atmospheric dustfall pollution in urban environment: Evidence from the types, distribution, and probable sources in Beijing, China
Researchers collected atmospheric dustfall samples across urban Beijing and analyzed the types, distribution, and likely sources of airborne microplastics. They found that synthetic fibers from textiles and fragments from various plastic products were the dominant forms, with concentrations varying by location and proximity to pollution sources. The study provides evidence that urban atmospheric microplastic pollution is widespread and likely linked to daily human activities and industrial processes.
Characteristic of microplastics in the atmospheric fallout from Dongguan city, China: preliminary research and first evidence
Researchers characterized microplastics in atmospheric fallout collected in Dongguan City, China, finding that airborne microplastics are deposited daily and that urban areas generate significant atmospheric microplastic emissions.
Microplastics in the atmospheric of the eastern coast of China: different function areas reflecting various sources and transport
Atmospheric sampling at two sites in a Chinese coastal city found microplastics suspended in the air at both downtown and industrial locations, but with different dominant sources — lifestyle and consumer products in the city center versus industrial activity in the industrial zone. The finding that microplastics are transported through the atmosphere confirms that people in urban areas are inhaling plastic particles regardless of proximity to industrial facilities.
First quantification and chemical characterization of atmospheric microplastics observed in Seoul, South Korea
Researchers conducted the first measurement of airborne microplastics across five outdoor sites in Seoul, South Korea, finding plastic particles everywhere from business districts to urban forests. Microplastic levels were higher in areas with more human activity and during weekdays versus weekends. Polypropylene and PET were the most common types, suggesting that everyday plastic products are a major source of airborne microplastic pollution in cities.
Atmospheric microplastics at a southern China metropolis: Occurrence, deposition flux, exposure risk and washout effect of rainfall
Researchers measured airborne microplastics in Guangzhou, a major city in southern China, finding them throughout the year with higher levels during the rainy season. They estimated that adults in the city inhale tens of thousands of microplastic particles annually through normal breathing. Rainfall helped wash microplastics out of the air, but it also deposited them onto surfaces where they can enter water and soil, creating another pathway for human exposure.
Impact of seasonal changes and environmental conditions on suspended and inhalable microplastics in urban air
Researchers measured airborne microplastics in Taipei City over a full year and found an average of about 6 particles per cubic meter of air, with higher levels during warm seasons. Fragment-shaped microplastics (polystyrene, polyethylene, polypropylene) were the most common, and their concentrations were influenced more by weather conditions like temperature, UV levels, and humidity than by human activity within the city.
Assessing the impact of marine litter hotspot on atmospheric microplastics: A study of a coastal village
Researchers measured airborne microplastic concentrations near a marine litter hotspot in a coastal village in Taiwan and found an average of 1.35 particles per cubic meter of air, with the highest levels in spring. The study provides evidence that accumulated marine litter on coastlines can serve as a source of atmospheric microplastics, potentially affecting air quality in nearby communities.
Characteristics of microplastics in the atmosphere of Anyang City
Researchers measured airborne microplastics in Anyang City, China, and found that concentrations increased significantly as air quality worsened, reaching an average of 0.42 particles per cubic meter during heavily polluted days. About 80% of the particles were black fiber strips, mainly made of cellophane, PET, and EVA. The study estimates that on high-pollution days, adults breathe in an average of 222 microplastic particles daily, highlighting the respiratory health risk from airborne microplastics in polluted cities.
Airborne microplastics in indoor and outdoor environments of a coastal city in Eastern China
Researchers measured airborne microplastic levels in both indoor and outdoor environments in a Chinese coastal city and found that indoor air contained about eight times more microplastics than outdoor air. Fragments smaller than 100 micrometers were the most common type, and urban areas had higher levels than rural areas. The study estimates that a person's annual exposure to airborne microplastics could reach over one million particles, with most exposure occurring indoors where people spend the majority of their time.
Comparative study on physicochemical characteristics of atmospheric microplastics in winter in inland and coastal megacities: A case of Beijing and Shanghai, China
Researchers compared airborne microplastic pollution during winter in Beijing, an inland city, and Shanghai, a coastal city in China. They found notable differences in the shapes, sizes, and polymer types of microplastics between the two cities, reflecting their distinct urban and industrial environments. The study provides evidence that local geography and economic activity significantly influence the characteristics of atmospheric microplastic contamination.
Various forms and deposition fluxes of microplastics identified in the coastal urban atmosphere
Researchers collected precipitation samples in a Chinese coastal city and found microplastics of multiple shapes deposited from the atmosphere, with seasonal variation in deposition rates. This is one of the first studies to document atmospheric microplastic deposition in a coastal urban environment.
Seasonal patterns and environmental drivers of atmospheric microplastics in a coastal megacity
Researchers conducted a year-long monitoring campaign of atmospheric microplastics in Shanghai to understand seasonal patterns and environmental drivers. The study identified distinct temporal dynamics in airborne microplastic concentrations in this coastal megacity, revealing how weather patterns, wind, and human activities influence atmospheric microplastic levels throughout the year.
Unveiling the seasonal transport and exposure risks of atmospheric microplastics in the southern area of the Yangtze River Delta, China
Researchers measured airborne microplastics in the city of Ningbo, China, finding an average of 0.145 particles per cubic meter of air, with urban areas having about 70% more than surrounding rural regions. Most airborne microplastics were fibers smaller than 1 millimeter, mainly from synthetic textiles and local industry, with levels highest in winter. The study estimated that trillions of microplastic particles are suspended in the air over this single city, highlighting the scale of airborne microplastic exposure for urban populations.
Microplastics comparison of indoor and outdoor air and ventilation rate effect in outskirts of the Seoul metropolitan city
Researchers measured airborne microplastics both indoors and outdoors in buildings near Seoul, finding that indoor concentrations were 1.8 times higher than outdoor levels. Polyester fibers from clothing and furnishings were the most common type, and lower ventilation rates led to higher indoor microplastic levels, meaning the air people breathe at home and work may be a significant source of microplastic exposure.
Suspended and deposited microplastics in the coastal atmosphere of southwest England
Researchers measured microplastic concentrations in the coastal atmosphere of southwest England over a 42-day period, finding both suspended and deposited particles dominated by fibers. The study found that rayon was the most common fiber type and that microplastic levels showed no clear dependence on wind speed or direction, suggesting widespread atmospheric distribution of these particles in coastal environments.
Microplastics and nanoplastics in the air: a review
This review examines the occurrence, sources, physicochemical characteristics, and sampling and analytical methods for microplastics and nanoplastics in atmospheric air across urban, industrial, coastal, and remote environments. The authors find that fibers and fragments are the dominant atmospheric microplastic forms, that no standardized sampling methods currently exist, and that both passive and active collection approaches are used across the literature with limited comparability.
Occurrence of microplastics in the seawater and atmosphere of the South China Sea: Pollution patterns and interrelationship
Researchers investigated microplastic pollution in both seawater and the atmosphere of the South China Sea, revealing distribution patterns and an interrelationship between marine and airborne microplastic contamination in the region.
[Distribution, Respiratory Exposure, and Traceability of Atmospheric Microplastics in Yichang City].
Researchers sampled airborne microplastics at 16 locations across Yichang City, China, and found them in every area, with the highest concentrations settling over urban residential neighborhoods. The particles were mostly polyester fibers and came predominantly from nearby sources rather than long-range transport. Daily inhalation estimates were calculated for both adults and children, highlighting indoor and outdoor respiratory exposure as a meaningful human health concern that warrants tighter monitoring.
Vertical distribution and transport of microplastics in the urban atmosphere: New insights from field observations
Researchers conducted field observations of airborne microplastics at four different heights in Guangzhou, China, from ground level up to 488 meters on the Canton Tower. They found that microplastic concentrations decreased with altitude but were still present at the highest sampling point, suggesting that these particles can travel through the atmosphere over long distances. The study provides the first detailed vertical profile of atmospheric microplastics in an urban setting, offering new insights into how these particles are transported through the air.