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20 resultsShowing papers similar to Sources and distribution of atmospheric microplastics in Northwest China river valleys via land use
ClearSpatiotemporal distribution and potential sources of atmospheric microplastic deposition in a semiarid urban environment of Northwest China
Atmospheric microplastic deposition in a semiarid urban environment in northwest China ranged from 79.5 to 810.0 particles per square meter per day, with peak deposition in summer, fibres and fragments dominating, and source analysis pointing to local plastic products and waste as primary contributors.
Spatial distribution, source apportionment and potential ecological risk assessment of suspended atmosphere microplastics in different underlying surfaces in Harbin
Researchers investigated the spatial distribution and sources of airborne microplastics suspended in the atmosphere across six different land-use types in Harbin, China. They found microplastics present above all surfaces, with polypropylene, PET, and polyethylene being the most common types. The study used source analysis to trace the contamination to local activities and assessed the potential ecological risk of breathing in these suspended particles.
Distribution and possible sources of atmospheric microplastic deposition in a valley basin city (Lanzhou, China)
Researchers measured atmospheric microplastic deposition in Lanzhou, a valley basin city in China, during the COVID-19 pandemic period from February to August 2020. They found an average deposition rate of about 354 particles per square meter per day, predominantly small PET fragments and fibers, with local human activity identified as the main source. The study suggests that human activity patterns and rainfall are the dominant factors influencing the spatial and temporal distribution of airborne microplastics in urban environments.
Microplastics 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.
Occurrence and sources of microplastics in dust of the Ebinur lake Basin, northwest China
Researchers investigated microplastic distribution in atmospheric dustfall across the Ebinur Lake Basin in northwest China, sampling four land-use types monthly for a year. They found construction land had the highest microplastic content (28.61 mg/kg), with films (46.85%) and PE/PP polymers dominating, and identified daily plastic products and industrial packaging as primary sources.
An important source of terrestrial microplastics‐atmospheric deposition: A microplastics survey based on Shaanxi, China
A six-month atmospheric sampling campaign across ten cities in Shaanxi Province, China detected microplastics in all air deposition samples, including both wet (rain/snow) and dry deposition. The most abundant polymer types were PET, polyacrylonitrile, PE, and PP — consistent with textiles and packaging as key sources — and concentrations were highest in the provincial capital Xi'an, correlating with urban population density. The study confirms that atmospheric fallout is a significant and widespread route by which microplastics enter terrestrial environments far from any obvious plastic source.
Insight into the size-resolved markers and eco-health significance of microplastics from typical sources in northwest China
Researchers characterized airborne microplastics and plasticizers emitted from five common sources in northwest China—plastic burning, fruit bag burning, road traffic, agricultural film, and livestock breeding—finding source-specific polymer and chemical profiles in PM2.5 and PM10 fractions.
Insight into the size-resolved markers and eco-health significance of microplastics from typical sources in northwest China
Researchers characterized atmospheric microplastics emitted from five source types — plastic burning, fruit bag burning, road traffic, agricultural film, and livestock breeding — in northwest China's Guanzhong Plain, finding distinct polymer and plasticizer profiles for each source. Plastic burning produced the highest diversity of polymer types, providing source-specific fingerprints useful for pollution management.
Atmospheric Microplastics Emission Source Potentials and Deposition Patterns in Semi‐Arid Croplands of Northern China
Researchers measured atmospheric microplastic emissions from croplands in semi-arid northern China, where wind erosion events are common. They found that fiber-shaped particles dominated airborne microplastics and that concentrations increased significantly when air masses passed over cropland surfaces. The study reveals that agricultural land in dry regions may be an underrecognized source of airborne microplastic pollution.
Characterization and traceability analysis of dry deposition of atmospheric microplastics (MPs) in Wuliangsuhai Lake
Atmospheric microplastic dry deposition was characterized at six sites around Wuliangsuhai Lake in China from March to June 2021, and source traceability analysis identified local agricultural plastic use and urban areas as major contributors to atmospheric MP loading.
Atmospheric deposition of microplastics at a western China metropolis: Relationship with underlying surface types and human exposure
Researchers measured microplastic fallout from the atmosphere in Chengdu, China, and found that the type of ground surface below -- urban, green space, or mixed -- influenced how much airborne microplastic accumulated. Using a probability model, they estimated that people are exposed to significant amounts of airborne microplastics during outdoor activities, adding to the growing evidence that we inhale these particles daily.
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.
Airborne microplastics in urban, rural and wildland environments on the Tibetan Plateau
Researchers measured airborne microplastic concentrations across urban, rural, and remote wildland sites on the Tibetan Plateau and found microplastics present at all locations, even in pristine high-altitude environments. Urban areas had the highest concentrations, but the presence of microplastics in remote wilderness areas demonstrates long-range atmospheric transport. The study provides some of the first data on airborne microplastic pollution in one of the world's most isolated high-mountain regions.
Analysis of microplastic sources in Wuliangsuhai Lake, China: Implications to microplastic deposition in cold, arid region lakes
Researchers used trajectory modeling, receptor modeling, and field monitoring to characterize atmospheric microplastic deposition into a cold, arid lake in Inner Mongolia, finding that spring deposition was highest, fiber-type polyethylene terephthalate and polyethylene particles dominated, and urban sources including housing, transportation, and agriculture were the main contributors — adding tons of microplastics to the lake annually via air.
Distribution characteristics of microplastics in soil of Loess Plateau in northwest China and their relationship with land use type
Researchers measured microplastic levels across different land use types on China's Loess Plateau and found an average abundance of nearly 3,000 particles per kilogram of soil. Construction land and cultivated areas had the highest concentrations, while grassland and woodland had lower levels. The study demonstrates that human land use patterns directly influence how much microplastic accumulates in soil across this important agricultural region.
Characteristics, sources and influencing factors of atmospheric deposition of microplastics in three different ecosystems of Beijing, China
Researchers characterized atmospheric microplastic deposition across forest, agricultural, and residential ecosystems in Beijing, finding that residential areas had the highest deposition fluxes, with PET and rayon fibers being the dominant types.
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.
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.
Distribution Characteristics of Atmospheric Microplastics in Typical Desert Agricultural Regions
Researchers characterized atmospheric microplastics in desert agricultural regions surrounding the Taklamakan Desert in Xinjiang, China, using both active and passive collection methods. Polypropylene and polyethylene were the dominant polymer types, with particles entering the atmosphere from agricultural plastic films.
Spatiotemporal occurrence and characteristics of microplastics in the urban road dust in a megacity, eastern China
Researchers collected road dust samples from different areas of Nanjing, a major city in eastern China, and found an average of 143 microplastic particles per square meter. Commercial and heavy industrial zones had the highest contamination levels, with 29 different polymer types identified across the city. The study found that urban land use, recent rainfall, and particulate matter levels were the main factors influencing microplastic pollution patterns in road dust.