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Papers
20 resultsShowing papers similar to Investigating the Atmospheric Dispersion of Microplastic Particles - A Model Study
ClearModelling the Potential Long-Range Dispersion of Atmospheric Microplastics Reaching a Remote Site
Researchers used the Lagrangian particle dispersion model MILORD in backward mode to investigate long-range atmospheric transport of microplastics reaching a remote site, identifying potential source areas for airborne microplastics. The study demonstrates that long-range transport contributes significantly to microplastic deposition at locations far from plastic sources.
Atmospheric microplastic measurements reconciliation with emission estimates: A Lagrangian approach
Researchers used a Lagrangian atmospheric transport model to reconcile discrepancies between field measurements of atmospheric microplastic concentrations and global emission estimates, finding that measurement variability and gaps in emission source characterization are primary drivers of the mismatch.
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.
Tracking the sources of atmospheric microplastic using FLEXPART v.
Researchers used the FLEXPART atmospheric particle dispersion model to track the sources and transport pathways of atmospheric microplastics detected at monitoring sites around the world, accounting for the complex shapes of microplastic fibres that complicate standard atmospheric transport modelling. The study aimed to reduce uncertainty in source attribution for atmospheric microplastics and characterise the relative contributions of different emission sources including urban areas, oceans, and agricultural regions.
Atmospheric transport is a major pathway of microplastics to remote regions
Using global atmospheric transport simulations, researchers modeled the dispersal of tire wear particles and brake dust from roads, finding that atmospheric transport is a major — and previously underestimated — pathway delivering microplastics to remote regions far from traffic sources.
Microplastic particles resuspensions in bare soils and global atmospheric transport
Researchers estimated global atmospheric transport of microplastics resuspended from bare soils using the FLEXPART dispersion model and FLEXDUST dust emission scheme, simulating transport of spheres and fibers across a range of sizes via Monte Carlo analysis to quantify secondary microplastic sources and their global distribution.
Efficient Atmospheric Transport of Microplastics over Asia and Adjacent Oceans
Researchers developed an atmospheric transport model for microplastics over Asia, estimating annual emissions of 310 gigagrams and finding that atmospheric transport efficiently carries microplastics from land sources to remote ocean regions across the Pacific and Indian oceans.
Sources and fate of atmospheric microplastics revealed from inverse and dispersion modelling: From global emissions to deposition
Researchers combined atmospheric observations and inverse modeling to estimate global microplastic emissions at 9.6 megatons per year, then used dispersion modeling to trace sources and deposition patterns from emissions to atmospheric fallout worldwide.
Simulating microplastics temporal dynamics, driving mechanisms and giving insights on sources
Researchers developed a watershed-scale model to simulate temporal dynamics of microplastic concentrations across air, soil, and water compartments, incorporating land use, hydrology, and seasonal variation. The model reproduced observed patterns in a French river catchment and identified agricultural soils as the dominant terrestrial source to receiving waters.
Twist, turn and encounter: the trajectories of small atmospheric particles unravelled
This study used trajectory modeling to trace the movement of small atmospheric particles including microplastics, uncovering complex transport pathways driven by turbulence, wind patterns, and particle size interactions.
Microplastics in the Atmosphere: A Global Perspective
This global modeling study found that atmospheric microplastic sources are dominated by land-based transport rather than ocean emissions, challenging earlier assumptions and suggesting that road traffic and other terrestrial activities are the primary drivers of microplastic particle distribution in the atmosphere.
The Plastic Pathfinder: A Macroplastic Transport and Fate Model for Terrestrial Environments
Researchers introduced the Plastic Pathfinder, a computer model that simulates how plastic waste moves across land through wind, rain, and river systems before reaching the ocean. The model helps identify key transport pathways and accumulation hotspots, which is critical information for targeting plastic pollution interventions.
"modeling the Dispersion of Microplastic Particle Concentration in the Atmosphere for Waste Management Facilities"
Researchers developed modeling approaches for simulating microplastic particle dispersion in the atmosphere around waste management facilities, identifying that traditional advection-diffusion models require adaptation to account for gravitational settling, particle coagulation, and the complex influence of particle density, shape, and size.
Atmospheric transport dynamics of microplastic fibres
Researchers examined the atmospheric transport dynamics of microplastic fibres within boundary layer flows, comparing their motion to mineral grain transport and finding key differences in behaviour that have important implications for modelling the long-range atmospheric dispersal of microplastics to remote and rural locations.
Can we identify the dominant sources of atmospheric microplastic?
Researchers applied Lagrangian back-trajectory modelling using FLEXPART-v11 to atmospheric microplastic observations at multiple global sites including polar regions, marine boundary layers, and high mountain snow, aiming to identify dominant emission sources and quantify their relative contributions to atmospheric MP pollution.
Investigating the long-range dispersion of atmospheric microplastics in the free atmosphere with a numerical model
Using a computer simulation model called MILORD, researchers traced the long-range atmospheric transport of microplastics to two locations in Europe — above Madrid and at a high-altitude mountain site in the French Pyrenees. The simulations revealed that microplastics detected in the free atmosphere above cities mostly originated from distant sources rather than local emissions, and that ocean spray is a significant contributor to airborne microplastics. This work confirms that plastic particles can travel hundreds or thousands of kilometers through the air, depositing in even remote mountain and ocean environments.
Atmospheric transport of microplastics from land to sea is inefficient: Evidence from multimedia observations
Researchers used multimedia observations from both land and sea to quantify the transport efficiency of atmospheric microplastics from land to ocean, finding that atmospheric transport is an inefficient pathway for delivering land-sourced microplastics to marine environments compared to other transport routes.
A mass budget and box model of global plastics cycling, fragmentation and dispersal in the land-ocean-atmosphere system
Researchers constructed a global mass budget and box model tracking plastic polymer flows from production through fragmentation into microplastics across land, ocean, and atmosphere. The model suggests ocean microplastic stocks are much larger than surface measurements indicate, and that atmospheric transport plays a significant role in redistribution of marine-derived microplastics.
A Regional Lagrangian Model for Assessing the Dispersion of Floating Macroplastics from Different Source Types over the Iberian Peninsula in the North Atlantic Ocean
Researchers used a validated Lagrangian model to track floating macroplastics entering the North Atlantic from rivers, land-based sources, and maritime traffic along Spain's Atlantic coast, finding significant plastic concentrations near the coastline and at medium distances over a seven-year simulation period.
A global atmospheric microplastics dataset and model-assisted insights into their atmospheric emissions
Scientists created the first global map of tiny plastic particles floating in our air and found they're everywhere—even in remote areas far from cities. These microscopic plastic bits can travel huge distances through the atmosphere and may pose health risks because they can carry harmful chemicals into our lungs when we breathe. The research shows that most airborne microplastics come from land-based sources rather than the ocean, helping us better understand how plastic pollution spreads around the planet.