Papers

20 results
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Article Tier 2

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.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Comparison of microplastic type, size, and composition in atmospheric and foliage samples in an urban scenario

Researchers compared microplastic contamination in outdoor air deposits and on plant leaf surfaces in an urban area and found that both sampling methods detected similar types and sizes of microplastic particles. Fibers were the most common shape found, and polyester and polyethylene were among the most frequently identified polymers. The study suggests that plant foliage could serve as a practical biomonitor for tracking airborne microplastic pollution in cities.

2024 Environmental Pollution 25 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2019 Environment International 1094 citations
Article Tier 2

Spatial distribution of atmospheric microplastics in bulk-deposition of urban and rural environments – A one-year follow-up study in northern Germany

Researchers conducted a year-long study of atmospheric microplastic deposition across urban and rural sites in northern Germany, finding spatial and temporal variation in microplastic fallout patterns that help quantify environmental input rates.

2023 The Science of The Total Environment 55 citations
Article Tier 2

Wet and Dry Deposition Flux Measurements of Atmospheric Microplastic Particles in Central Germany

Researchers measured both wet and dry atmospheric deposition of microplastic particles in central Germany across different weather conditions. The study shows that atmospheric microplastic fallout is a real pathway delivering plastic particles into terrestrial and aquatic environments.

2022 Research Square (Research Square) 6 citations
Article Tier 2

Foliar retention of atmospheric microplastics: Influence of leaf surface properties and rainfall intensity

Researchers found that leaf surface properties and rainfall intensity significantly influence how much atmospheric microplastics are retained on plant foliage, with leaves near a landfill retaining up to 0.80 items/cm2 and autumn showing the highest seasonal accumulation across five common urban tree species.

2025 Journal of Hazardous Materials
Article Tier 2

Atmospheric deposition of microplastics: a sampling and analytical method including the associated measurement uncertainties

Researchers developed a tailored analytical chain for atmospheric microplastic sampling — including collection, processing, and optical microscopy-based analysis — and applied it to quantify atmospheric deposition of microplastics and assess the atmosphere as a vector of global microplastic distribution.

2025
Article Tier 2

The atmospheric microplastics deposition contributes to microplastic pollution in urban waters

Researchers investigated how atmospheric deposition contributes to microplastic pollution in urban waters. The study found that microplastic deposition fluxes were higher during wet weather than dry weather and showed moderate to strong correlations with atmospheric conditions, demonstrating that airborne microplastic fallout is a meaningful source of contamination in urban water environments.

2022 Water Research 217 citations
Article Tier 2

Quantifying Atmospheric Deposition of Microplastics in Urban and Suburban O'ahu

Researchers quantified atmospheric deposition of microplastics across urban and suburban sites on O'ahu, Hawaii, characterising deposition rates and particle composition to assess airborne microplastic transport in a Pacific island environment.

2025 ScholarSpace (University of Hawaii at Manoa)
Article Tier 2

Status and prospects of atmospheric microplastics: A review of methods, occurrence, composition, source and health risks

This review summarized the sampling methods, occurrence, composition, sources, and health risks of atmospheric microplastics. Researchers found that airborne microplastics are detected both indoors and outdoors, with fibers being the most common shape, and that inhalation represents an important but understudied exposure pathway. The study suggests that atmospheric transport plays a significant role in the global distribution of microplastic pollution.

2022 Environmental Pollution 74 citations
Review Tier 2

Distribution and transport of atmospheric microplastics and the environmental impacts: A review

This review examines the distribution, transport, and environmental impacts of atmospheric microplastics, synthesizing evidence that airborne plastics are found globally from urban centers to remote polar regions. The authors identify deposition via precipitation as a major pathway by which atmospheric microplastics contaminate soil and water surfaces.

2022 Chinese Science Bulletin (Chinese Version) 12 citations
Article Tier 2

Comprehensive Analysis of Atmospheric Microplastic Deposition: Insights from North Wales, UK, and Global Collaborations.

This study conducted extensive atmospheric microplastic deposition monitoring in North Wales, UK, combining local data with global collaborations to characterize deposition rates, polymer types, and seasonal patterns, finding measurable microplastic fallout even in rural areas.

2024
Article Tier 2

A nationwide monitoring of atmospheric microplastic deposition

Researchers conducted a year-long nationwide monitoring of atmospheric microplastic deposition across ten urban areas in Spain with varying population sizes, economic activities, and climates. The study provides a systematic quantification of airborne microplastic fallout, contributing to understanding the role of the atmosphere in the transport and distribution of microplastic pollution.

2023 The Science of The Total Environment 44 citations
Article Tier 2

Regional and climatic variations in atmospheric microplastic deposition

Researchers simultaneously quantified atmospheric dry deposition of microplastics across nine Iranian cities with different climates over a seven-day period, finding deposition rates ranging from under 5 to over 100 MP/m²/hr dominated by fibres of polyethylene, PET, polypropylene, polystyrene, and nylon, with significant regional and climatic variation.

2025
Article Tier 2

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.

2017 Environmental Science and Pollution Research 912 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2023 Environmental Pollution 52 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2025 Vietnam Journal of Science and Technology/Science and Technology
Article Tier 2

Evaluating Ecological Impacts and Atmospheric Fate of Microplastics: Ecological Perspectives and Challenges

Researchers review how microplastics spread through the atmosphere via wind and weather before settling into water bodies, soil, and plant life — creating pathways for human exposure through the food chain. The study highlights gaps in analytical methods and calls for standardized, accurate measurement techniques to better understand and address the full ecological threat of airborne microplastic pollution.

2024 Environmental Engineering and Management Journal 2 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2017 Chinese Science Bulletin (Chinese Version) 253 citations
Article Tier 2

Regional and climatic variations in atmospheric microplastic deposition: A study throughout Iran

Dry deposition of atmospheric microplastics was measured simultaneously across nine Iranian cities with different climates and populations over one week, finding deposition rates from 5 to over 100 particles/m²/day, with population density and wind conditions as key drivers.

2025 Environmental Technology & Innovation 2 citations