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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Deposition of Roadside Atmospheric Non-Tire Wear Microplastics: Characteristics and Influencing Factors
ClearGlobal emission, atmospheric transport and deposition trends of microplastics originating from road traffic
This modeling study estimated global emissions, atmospheric transport, and deposition of microplastics from road traffic sources, finding that road-derived microplastics are transported long distances by wind and deposited in remote locations including the Arctic. The findings quantify roads as a globally important source of atmospheric microplastic pollution.
Characterization of Airborne Microplastics Particles on Urban Roads: Types, Sizes, and Total Particles
Researchers collected airborne microplastic samples from urban road environments and characterized particle types, sizes, color distributions, and polymer compositions, finding tire-wear rubber and paint fragments alongside fiber and film fragments from packaging and textiles.
Microplastic and tyre wear particles at a highway: a case study from Norway
Researchers monitored microplastics and tire wear particles (tiny rubber fragments shed by vehicles) in air, road runoff, and road dust along a busy Norwegian highway, finding the highest concentrations in road dust and the lowest in air. The study demonstrates that traffic is a major source of microplastic pollution across multiple environmental pathways.
Concentrations of tire wear microplastics and other traffic-derived non-exhaust particles in the road environment
Researchers measured actual environmental concentrations of tire wear microplastics and other traffic-derived non-exhaust particles in a rural highway setting, providing field-based data to complement the theoretical estimates that dominate current literature.
Temporal Distribution of Airborne Microplastics at an Urban Roadside
Researchers conducted a year-long sampling program for airborne microplastics at an urban roadside site in Zhengzhou, China, finding that traffic volume, seasonal variation, and meteorological conditions influenced the temporal distribution and polymer composition of atmospheric microplastics. Micro-Raman spectroscopy identified the dominant polymer types present in traffic-adjacent air.
Atmospheric microplastic deposition in an urban environment and an evaluation of transport
Researchers measured microplastic deposition in central London and found contamination in all samples, with rates ranging from 575 to 1,008 particles per square meter per day. Fibrous microplastics made up 92% of the particles, and 15 different polymer types were identified. Wind analysis revealed different source areas for fibrous and non-fibrous airborne microplastics, providing the first evidence that the atmosphere is a significant pathway for microplastic pollution in urban areas.
Tyre wear particles: an abundant yet widely unreported microplastic?
Researchers collected tire wear particles from roadside drains and natural environments near a major UK road, finding that these particles are abundant and widespread yet frequently undetected in environmental monitoring, suggesting tyre wear is a major but under-reported microplastic source.
Atmospheric Transport, a Major Pathway of Microplastics to Remote Regions
This first global simulation of atmospheric microplastic transport showed that tire and brake wear particles can travel thousands of kilometers from roads to remote regions including polar areas. The model confirms that road traffic is a major global source of microplastic atmospheric deposition in areas far from any direct human activity.
Occurrence and risk associated with urban road-deposited microplastics
Researchers collected and analyzed microplastics deposited on urban roads and found average concentrations ranging from 0.33 to 3.64 grams per square meter, with significant variation based on land use and particle size. Road-deposited microplastics were mainly fibers and fragments from tire wear and textile sources, and their risk assessment indicated moderate ecological concern. The study provides new insights into how different urban environments contribute to microplastic pollution through road runoff.
Identification, classification and quantification of microplastics in road dust and stormwater
Researchers identified and quantified microplastics in road dust and stormwater, finding significantly higher concentrations in industrial areas compared to residential zones, with tire wear particles and polyethylene fragments being the most common types.
Modelled atmospheric concentration of tyre wear in an urban environment
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.
A preliminary comparison of microplastic type, size, and composition in atmospheric and foliage samples in an urban scenario
Researchers compared microplastic types, sizes, and polymer compositions in atmospheric dry and wet deposition samples from different settings. The study found that atmospheric deposition is a meaningful pathway for microplastic dispersal, with variation in particle characteristics across sites.
What is known and unknown concerning microplastics from tyre wear?
This review synthesizes current knowledge on tyre wear particles (TWPs) as a major source of road-traffic microplastics, covering how particle generation, transport pathways, and environmental fate depend on tyre composition, road characteristics, and weather. A key finding is that while TWPs can be identified in environmental samples, quantifying them precisely remains difficult and expensive—a gap that must be closed to accurately assess human and ecological exposure.
Temporal and spatial variations of microplastics in roadside dust from rural and urban Victoria, Australia: Implications for diffuse pollution
Roadside dust in rural and urban Victoria, Australia, contained 20 to 529 microplastic items per kilogram across two seasons, with polyester and polypropylene the dominant plastic types, and fiber the most common shape. Urbanization and rainfall were key drivers of microplastic accumulation, and concentrations were consistent between seasons at each site.
Microplastics from tyre and road wear A literature review
This literature review examines microplastics generated from tire and road wear, identifying road traffic as a significant but often overlooked source of plastic pollution in urban runoff and waterways. The authors assess what is known about tire particle composition, environmental fate, and potential ecological effects.
Wet and dry deposition of airborne microplastics in urban background site in Helsinki
Researchers measured wet and dry deposition of airborne microplastics and tire wear rubber at an urban background site in Helsinki, Finland, characterizing seasonal and source patterns of atmospheric plastic particle deposition. Both microplastics and tire wear particles were detected in deposition samples, with concentrations and particle types reflecting urban traffic and seasonal variation.
Microplastic and tyre wear particles at a highway: a case study from Norway
Researchers characterized microplastics including tyre wear particles across air, road runoff, and road dust near a heavily trafficked Norwegian highway using µFTIR and Py-GC/MS, finding the highest MP concentrations in road dust (up to 4250 counts per square meter) and the highest tyre wear particle concentrations in road dust and road runoff. The results showed that road runoff and road dust better reflected local traffic emissions while airborne MPs were more influenced by atmospheric transport.
Constraining the atmospheric limb of the plastic cycle
Researchers modeled the atmospheric transport of microplastics across the western United States and found that most airborne particles originate from the breakdown of legacy plastic waste that has accumulated in the environment. Roads were identified as the dominant source, followed by marine, agricultural, and dust emissions near population centers. The study suggests that atmospheric microplastic transport represents a significant and underappreciated component of the global plastic pollution cycle.
A preliminary comparison of microplastic type, size, and composition in atmospheric and foliage samples in an urban scenario
Researchers compared microplastic types, sizes, and polymer compositions in atmospheric dry and wet deposition at multiple sites, assessing contributions to ecosystem contamination. The results showed that atmospheric deposition is a significant pathway for microplastic redistribution, particularly to remote areas.
Contribution of Road Vehicle Tyre Wear to Microplastics and Ambient Air Pollution
This review finds that tire wear from road vehicles contributes one-third to one-half of all microplastics released unintentionally into the environment, with passenger cars generating about 110 milligrams per kilometer driven. Most tire particles end up in soil, but a portion becomes airborne, contributing 5-30% of road transport particulate matter emissions. Since the smallest tire particles can be inhaled, this is a significant and often overlooked source of daily microplastic exposure for people living near roads.
Outdoor Atmospheric Microplastics within the Humber Region (United Kingdom): Quantification and Chemical Characterisation of Deposited Particles Present
Researchers measured atmospheric microplastic deposition at an urban site in the Humber region of the United Kingdom over 13 months. They found a mean deposition rate of approximately 3,055 particles per square meter per day, predominantly polyethylene and nylon film-shaped particles, with no clear relationship between rainfall and deposition levels. The study also characterized microplastics across five urbanized locations, finding petroleum resin particles more prevalent in industrial and roadside zones.
Microplastics in the air: Weather and polymer influences on deposition trends across a rural–urban gradient
A study along a rural-to-urban gradient in England found that microplastic deposition rates in the atmosphere ranged from 12 to 500 particles per square meter per day, with rural woodland sites recording the highest overall deposition and weather patterns playing a larger role than urbanization alone. The results challenge the assumption that cities always have the highest airborne microplastic loads.
Atmospheric Microplastic Transport
This review examines atmospheric transport of microplastics, covering emission sources including roads and oceans, the meteorological and particle-characteristic factors influencing transport and deposition, and the cycles by which microplastics are redistributed to remote environments including high-altitude and polar regions.
Contributing to the assessment of the impact of urban activities on microplastic transport through air and runoff infiltration
Researchers investigated the contribution of urban activities to microplastic transport through both airborne pathways and stormwater runoff infiltration, quantifying plastic particle fluxes in an urban watershed. The study found that road surfaces, construction materials, and tire wear were significant urban sources, with rainfall events mobilizing microplastics into both air and subsurface water.