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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Comparative study on physicochemical characteristics of atmospheric microplastics in winter in inland and coastal megacities: A case of Beijing and Shanghai, China
ClearMicroplastics 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.
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.
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.
Atmospheric deposition of microplastics in the megalopolis (Shanghai) during rainy season: Characteristics, influence factors, and source
Researchers characterized atmospheric microplastic deposition in Shanghai during the rainy season, finding that rainfall events significantly increased deposition rates, with fibers dominating and sources linked to both local urban activities and long-range atmospheric transport.
Atmospheric microplastics in Handan, China: characteristics, seasonal variations, and human exposure risk
Researchers conducted a year-long monitoring campaign of deposited and suspended atmospheric microplastics in Handan, an industrial city in northern China. They found strong seasonal variations linked to wind patterns and industrial emissions, with human inhalation exposure posing a measurable health risk.
Characterization of atmospheric microplastics: A case study in Shenzhen City, a southern coastal area of China
Researchers characterized airborne microplastics at ten locations across Shenzhen, a major coastal city in southern China. They found an average abundance of 2.22 particles per cubic meter, with higher concentrations in areas of intense human activity and at lower altitudes. The study identified polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyester fibers as the most common types, and found that temperature and humidity influence airborne microplastic levels.
Physicochemical 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.
Assessing the external atmospheric input of microplastics: Two strategies based on polymer composition and aging characteristics
Researchers compared microplastic pollution in dust from a sparsely populated area on the Mongolian Plateau and a densely populated city, using polymer composition and aging characteristics to distinguish locally generated microplastics from those transported externally via long-distance atmospheric transport.
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.
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.
Airborne microplastics in China: Assessing urbanization, weather factors and policy implications from the nationwide study
Researchers conducted the first nationwide assessment of atmospheric microplastics across 30 Chinese cities combined with year-round monitoring in Ningbo, finding an average deposition flux of 473.9 items m-2 d-1 and identifying urbanization level, seasonal weather patterns, and wind conditions as key governing factors of atmospheric microplastic distribution.
Abundance of microplastics and nanoplastics in urban atmosphere
Scientists measured microplastics and nanoplastics in the air of two major Chinese cities and found concentrations reaching hundreds of thousands of particles per cubic meter. Road dust being kicked up by traffic and rainfall washing particles out of the sky were the two biggest drivers of atmospheric plastic pollution. These findings suggest that city residents are inhaling significant amounts of plastic particles every day, with potential implications for respiratory and overall health.
Microplastics in the Atmosphere and Water Bodies of Coastal Agglomerations: A Mini-Review
This review summarizes research on microplastic pollution in the atmosphere and water bodies of coastal cities, which act as both sources and collection points for plastic contamination. Researchers found that fibers and fragments are the most common microplastic shapes in these environments, with concentrations varying based on population density and local activities. The study highlights knowledge gaps in understanding how microplastics cycle between urban, marine, and atmospheric environments in coastal areas.
Atmospheric microplastic deposition associated with GDP and population growth: Insights from megacities in northern China
Researchers measured airborne microplastic pollution across 17 large cities in northern China and found that economic activity, especially GDP growth, was the strongest predictor of how much microplastic fell from the sky. The most common plastic types were polypropylene, polyamide, polyurethane, and polyethylene, with most particles smaller than 78 micrometers. This matters for human health because these tiny airborne plastics can be inhaled, and their levels appear to rise as cities grow economically.
Geometrically-driven selective transport of microplastics across atmosphere-land
Researchers analyzed how the geometric characteristics of atmospheric microplastics — shape and aspect ratio — determine their selective deposition patterns in Shanghai, finding that particle geometry is a crucial factor governing which microplastic types preferentially accumulate at different locations.
Size Distributionof Micro-/Nanoplastic Particlesand Their Chemical Speciation in the Atmosphere of Shanghai, China
Researchers characterized the size distribution and chemical speciation of micro- and nanoplastic particles collected from environmental samples, finding a continuous size spectrum from microns to nanometers and detecting additive chemicals co-associated with the particles.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Mass distribution of PET and PC microplastics in the atmosphere of Tianjin, China
Researchers measured the mass distribution of PET and polycarbonate microplastics in total suspended particles collected from the urban atmosphere of Tianjin, China, finding that East Asian monsoon dynamics influence seasonal and spatial patterns of atmospheric microplastic distribution. The study provides quantitative data on plastic polymer composition in urban air under monsoon-affected conditions.
Characteristics, distribution patterns and sources of atmospheric microplastics in the Bohai and Yellow Seas, China
Researchers investigated the characteristics, distribution patterns, and sources of atmospheric microplastics over the Bohai and Yellow Seas in China during summer and autumn 2022. The study provides new data on airborne microplastic pollution over oceanic regions, an area where information has been limited.