Papers

20 results
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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

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

Microplastic abundance in atmospheric deposition within the Metropolitan area of Hamburg, Germany

Researchers measured atmospheric microplastic deposition across urban and rural sites in the Hamburg metropolitan region over 12 weeks, finding a mean of 275 particles per m² per day with polyethylene fragments dominant, and unexpectedly higher concentrations at rural sites under conifer forest canopy than at urban locations, suggesting forest combing effects and agricultural inputs as significant deposition drivers.

2019 The Science of The Total Environment 792 citations
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 samples from different settings. The study found that atmospheric deposition is a meaningful pathway for microplastic dispersal, with variation in particle characteristics across sites.

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

Atmospheric Dry and Wet Deposition of Microplastics in an Urban Area and a Remote Island: Year-Round Consecutive Monthly Observations

Researchers conducted year-round parallel monthly monitoring of atmospheric microplastic dry and wet deposition in urban Seoul and remote Baengnyeong Island, finding that urban areas had significantly higher deposition rates and that long-range transport contributes measurable microplastic fallout even to remote marine locations.

2025
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

Atmospheric deposition studies of microplastics in Central Germany

Researchers monitored microplastic particles falling from the air in Central Germany over eight months and detected plastic in all wet deposition (rain) samples and half of dry deposition samples, with polypropylene being the most common type. A deeper Raman analysis revealed that standard detection methods may underestimate actual microplastic air pollution by at least ten times, highlighting a large blind spot in atmospheric monitoring.

2024 Air Quality Atmosphere & Health 28 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in the air: Weather and polymer influences on deposition trends across a rural–urban gradient

A study along a rural-to-urban gradient in England found that microplastic deposition rates in the atmosphere ranged from 12 to 500 particles per square meter per day, with rural woodland sites recording the highest overall deposition and weather patterns playing a larger role than urbanization alone. The results challenge the assumption that cities always have the highest airborne microplastic loads.

2025 Environmental Pollution 1 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

Outdoor Atmospheric Microplastics within the Humber Region (United Kingdom): Quantification and Chemical Characterisation of Deposited Particles Present

Researchers measured atmospheric microplastic deposition at an urban site in the Humber region of the United Kingdom over 13 months. They found a mean deposition rate of approximately 3,055 particles per square meter per day, predominantly polyethylene and nylon film-shaped particles, with no clear relationship between rainfall and deposition levels. The study also characterized microplastics across five urbanized locations, finding petroleum resin particles more prevalent in industrial and roadside zones.

2022 Atmosphere 41 citations
Article Tier 2

Synthetic fibers in atmospheric fallout: A source of microplastics in the environment?

Researchers found synthetic fibers in atmospheric fallout collected across a study region, demonstrating that airborne transport is a pathway for microplastic fiber deposition even in areas distant from direct plastic sources.

2016 Marine Pollution Bulletin 2063 citations
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

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
Article Tier 2

Airborne microplastic concentrations and deposition across the Weser River catchment

Researchers measured airborne microplastic concentrations and deposition rates across the Weser River catchment in Germany, sampling urban, suburban, and rural locations. They found that microplastics were present in the atmosphere at all sites, with higher concentrations near wastewater treatment plants and urban areas. The study estimates that atmospheric deposition is a meaningful pathway for microplastic contamination of river systems.

2021 The Science of The Total Environment 155 citations
Article Tier 2

Atmospheric deposition of microplastics in a rural region of North China Plain

Researchers investigated atmospheric microplastic deposition in a rural area of the North China Plain, finding significant quantities of microplastics deposited through both dry and wet pathways, with fibers and polyethylene being the dominant types.

2023 The Science of The Total Environment 55 citations
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

Atmospheric deposition of microplastics in shiraz, iran

Researchers measured atmospheric microplastic deposition during successive dry and rainy events over eight consecutive days at six sites in and around Shiraz, Iran, including a remote non-urbanised location. The study found that microplastic abundance and deposition flux increased progressively during dry periods and was similar across urban and remote sites, suggesting widespread atmospheric transport and redistribution of microplastics via rainfall scavenging.

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

Atmospheric deposition of microplastics in urban, rural, forest environments: A case study of Thulamela Local Municipality

Researchers measured airborne microplastic deposition across urban, rural, and forest areas in South Africa and found microplastics falling from the sky everywhere, with urban areas receiving the highest amounts at about 356 particles per square meter per day. This means people are continuously exposed to microplastics through the air they breathe, even in relatively remote locations.

2025 PLoS ONE 16 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