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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Microplastics in the urban environment - a case study of Coimbra, Portugal
ClearMicroplastics occurrence in an urban space - Coimbra city case-study
Researchers measured microplastic occurrence in air, water, and soil in and around Coimbra, Portugal, finding plastic particles in all urban environmental compartments. The multi-compartment approach provides a more complete picture of urban microplastic exposure and how particles move between different parts of the city environment.
The spatial distribution of microplastics in topsoils of an urban environment - Coimbra city case-study
Researchers mapped microplastic contamination across urban soils in Coimbra, Portugal, comparing samples from parks, roadsides, and other land uses. They found microplastics in all soil samples, with higher concentrations in areas with more human activity and artificial surfaces. The study demonstrates that urban soils are significant reservoirs of microplastic pollution and that land use patterns strongly influence contamination levels.
Assessment of microplastic transport and distribution in the urban environment of Coimbra municipality
Researchers tracked microplastic transport and distribution across five urban watersheds in Coimbra, Portugal, sampling atmospheric deposition, runoff, and streams before and during rainfall. Wet deposition carried more MPs than dry deposition, stream concentrations nearly doubled during rain events, and more urbanized, smaller watersheds had higher MP loads.
The urban microplastic footprint: investigating the distribution and transport
Researchers investigated the distribution and transport of microplastics within an urban environment, mapping the 'urban microplastic footprint' to understand how city infrastructure and land use patterns drive the spatial distribution and downstream export of plastic particles to receiving water bodies.
Superimposed microplastic pollution in a coastal metropolis
A comprehensive characterization of microplastic pollution sources, distribution, and accumulation in a coastal metropolis found multiple overlapping pathways contributing to marine contamination, from urban runoff to wastewater discharge. The study emphasizes that urban coastal cities are both major sources and sinks of microplastic pollution.
Identificação e quantificação de microplásticos na atmosfera do Porto e riscos para a saúde humana
This study identified and quantified microplastics in the atmosphere of Porto, Portugal, characterizing airborne plastic particle types and concentrations and assessing potential health risks from inhalation exposure for city residents.
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.
Environmental status of (micro)plastics contamination in Portugal
This is the first comprehensive review of plastic and microplastic contamination in Portugal, finding that thousands of tons of mismanaged waste and trillions of microplastic particles enter the environment annually. Northern and urban regions are most contaminated, with documented impacts on marine life and fisheries.
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.
Microplastic contamination in an urban area: a case study in Greater Paris
Researchers investigated microplastic contamination across Greater Paris, finding that urban areas generate and accumulate substantial microplastic pollution through multiple pathways including stormwater, atmospheric deposition, and river transport.
Temporal and spatial distribution of microplastics in green infrastructures: Rain gardens
Researchers measured temporal and spatial distribution of microplastics in green areas including parks and urban forests, finding particles across all sampled sites with concentration patterns influenced by proximity to roads, human activity, and atmospheric deposition. The results indicate that even urban green spaces are not free from microplastic contamination.
Quantitative Analysis of Urban Microplastic Dissemination and Accumulation in Marine Ecosystems: Pathways, Processes, and Impacts
Researchers used water and sediment sampling across urban, riverine, and marine environments to quantify microplastic pathways from cities into marine ecosystems, finding the highest concentrations in urban areas linked to industrial activity and poor waste management. Polyethylene, polypropylene, and PET were the most common polymer types, with seasonal peaks in concentration tracking periods of high rainfall and urban runoff.
Microplastic pollution in urban green-belt soil in Shihezi City, China
Researchers found microplastic concentrations ranging from 287 to 3,227 particles per kilogram in urban green-belt soils in Shihezi City, China, with fibers dominating and polystyrene and polyethylene as the primary polymer types, pointing to atmospheric deposition and road runoff as key sources.
Quantitative Analysis of Urban Microplastic Dissemination and Accumulation in Marine Ecosystems: Pathways, Processes, and Impacts
Researchers conducted quantitative water and sediment sampling across urban, riverine, and marine environments to trace microplastic transport pathways from cities into marine ecosystems. They found microplastics in all sampled environments — highest in urban areas — with polyethylene, polypropylene, and PET most prevalent, and documented ingestion evidence across marine species alongside seasonal concentration peaks correlated with rainfall-driven urban runoff.
Distribution of Microplastics in an Urban Soil:The Case of a Medium-Sized Cityin the Central Valley of Chile
Researchers systematically sampled soils across an entire Chilean city and found microplastics at 95% of sampling sites, with plastic fibers making up 68% of the particles detected. The near-universal contamination signals that urban soils are a widespread and underappreciated reservoir of microplastic pollution.
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.
Study of the litter in the urban environment as primary and secondary microplastics sources
Researchers studied urban litter as a source of both primary and secondary microplastics in cities across Khuzestan province, Iran, using environmental cleanliness indices. They found that the density of primary microplastic sources from littering was substantially higher than secondary sources, with an estimated 150 grams of primary microplastics released per year per city from litter alone. The study highlights the importance of improving urban waste management to control one of the most dispersed sources of microplastic pollution.
A comprehensive review of urban microplastic pollution sources, environment and human health impacts, and regulatory efforts
This review pulls together research from 2010 to 2024 on how microplastics spread through cities via stormwater runoff, wastewater, and air, contaminating both water and soil. The authors highlight that people in urban areas are exposed to microplastics through ingestion, breathing, and skin contact, and call for stronger regulations and better waste management to protect public health.
Characterization of Microplastics and Associated Heavy Metals in Urban Soils Affected by Anthropogenic Littering: Distribution, Spatial Variation, and Influence of Soil Properties
Researchers sampled soils across residential, commercial, and industrial land-use types in urban areas and found microplastics in every location, with polypropylene, polyethylene, and polyamide as the dominant polymer types, at concentrations up to 850,000 particles per kilogram. Heavy metals were also associated with the plastic particles, meaning microplastics in urban soil may serve as combined carriers of chemical toxicants. The findings highlight urban soil as a major but underappreciated reservoir of microplastic pollution.
Microplastics pollution in the terrestrial environments: Poorly known diffuse sources and implications for plants
This review examined poorly understood diffuse sources of microplastic pollution in terrestrial environments, with particular focus on tire and road wear particles in urban areas and the mechanisms by which plants absorb and are affected by microplastics.
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.
Potential Discharge of Microplastics in Surface Runoff—Bucharest Case Study
Researchers assessed microplastic discharge in surface runoff in Bucharest, Romania, examining plastic particle concentrations, morphologies, and transport pathways as runoff moves from urban surfaces into water systems.
Microplastics and particulate matter: assessment of atmospheric pollution in the Region of Hortênsias, Brazil
Researchers measured microplastic concentrations alongside particulate matter in the atmosphere of an urban area, characterizing the size, morphology, and polymer composition of airborne plastic particles and assessing the contribution of different anthropogenic sources to atmospheric MP pollution.
Impact assessment of microplastics in agricultural soils of the Euroregion Galicia and Minho: preliminary results
Researchers assessed microplastic contamination in agricultural soils across the Euroregion Galicia-Norte de Portugal, identifying distribution patterns and potential impacts on soil health. Agricultural practices involving plastic mulching were identified as the primary local source of soil microplastic contamination.