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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Small-sized microplastics (< 500 μm) in roadside soils of Beijing, China: Accumulation, stability, and human exposure risk
ClearMicroplastic pollution in urban green-belt soil in Shihezi City, China
Researchers found microplastic concentrations ranging from 287 to 3,227 particles per kilogram in urban green-belt soils in Shihezi City, China, with fibers dominating and polystyrene and polyethylene as the primary polymer types, pointing to atmospheric deposition and road runoff as key sources.
Accumulation characteristics and source analysis of microplastics derived traffic of soil in the Tibetan Plateau
Researchers analyzed microplastic contamination in soil along a highway on the Tibetan Plateau and found an average of about 2,248 particles per kilogram, with most particles smaller than 100 micrometers. The microplastics came from multiple traffic-related sources, including tire wear and road markings. The study shows that even remote, high-altitude areas are accumulating microplastics from transportation infrastructure, and the small particle sizes found pose particular environmental and health risks.
Pollution Characteristics of Microplastics in Soils in Southeastern Suburbs of Baoding City, China
Researchers characterized microplastic pollution in soils from the southeastern suburbs of Beijing, finding widespread contamination across 12 sampling sites with fibers and fragments as the dominant forms, and highlighting agricultural activities and urban runoff as likely sources. The study contributes soil-ecosystem baseline data to a research area dominated by aquatic microplastic studies.
Microplastics in Road Sediment of Typical Urban Districts of Beijing: Characteristics and Risk Assessment
Researchers characterized microplastics in road sediments from five functional urban districts in Beijing's Daxing area—business, traffic, residential, leisure, and cultural zones—and compared contamination levels and polymer profiles. Business areas had the highest concentrations at up to 8,680 particles per kilogram, with polypropylene and polyethylene dominating across all zones.
[Characteristics of Microplastic Present in Urban Road Dust].
Researchers characterized microplastic pollution in urban road dust from Ma'anshan City, China, finding abundances of 223 particles/kg with polypropylene (58.9%) and polyethylene (30.1%) dominant, and commercial areas showing the highest contamination levels.
Characterization of microplastics and the association of heavy metals with microplastics in suburban soil of central China
Microplastics in suburban soils of central China were characterized across three land-use types, with woodland containing the highest concentrations (4.1×10³ particles/kg) and 81.7% of particles under 100 μm, while XRF analysis confirmed heavy metals were enriched on plastic surfaces compared to surrounding soil. The study confirms that smaller microplastics are the dominant form and can act as carriers for heavy metal contamination in urban-adjacent soils.
Quantification of microplastic by particle size down to 1.1 μm in surface road dust in an urban city, Japan
Researchers quantified microplastics in urban road dust in Japan down to 1.1 micrometers, revealing that smaller size fractions contained disproportionately higher particle counts and that roads are a significant source of fine microplastic pollution.
Magnetic association of microplastics in urban road dust: Size distribution and ecological risk.
Scientists found that tiny plastic particles called microplastics are heavily concentrated in urban road dust, especially the smallest particles that can easily become airborne. The magnetic particles in this dust contain up to seven times more microplastics than non-magnetic particles, which matters because we breathe in this dust daily when walking, driving, or when wind stirs it up. This research helps us better understand how much plastic pollution we're exposed to in cities and where it comes from.
Characterization of Microplastics and Associated Heavy Metals in Urban Soils Affected by Anthropogenic Littering: Distribution, Spatial Variation, and Influence of Soil Properties
Researchers sampled soils across residential, commercial, and industrial land-use types in urban areas and found microplastics in every location, with polypropylene, polyethylene, and polyamide as the dominant polymer types, at concentrations up to 850,000 particles per kilogram. Heavy metals were also associated with the plastic particles, meaning microplastics in urban soil may serve as combined carriers of chemical toxicants. The findings highlight urban soil as a major but underappreciated reservoir of microplastic pollution.
Microplastic pollution in vegetable farmlands of suburb Wuhan, central China
Researchers surveyed vegetable farmlands in suburban Wuhan for microplastic contamination, finding 320–12,560 items/kg with highest concentrations near suburban roads, over 70% of particles smaller than 0.2 mm, and polyamide and polypropylene as dominant polymers. The study documents widespread farmland soil contamination in central China and highlights roads as a significant microplastic source.
Occurrence and risk associated with urban road-deposited microplastics
Researchers collected and analyzed microplastics deposited on urban roads and found average concentrations ranging from 0.33 to 3.64 grams per square meter, with significant variation based on land use and particle size. Road-deposited microplastics were mainly fibers and fragments from tire wear and textile sources, and their risk assessment indicated moderate ecological concern. The study provides new insights into how different urban environments contribute to microplastic pollution through road runoff.
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.
Occurrence and characteristics of microplastics in surface road dust in Kusatsu (Japan), Da Nang (Vietnam), and Kathmandu (Nepal)
Microplastics were detected in road dust sampled from three Asian cities (Kusatsu in Japan, Da Nang in Vietnam, and Kathmandu in Nepal), with concentrations and polymer types varying by city and sampling location. The study demonstrates that road surfaces are a major reservoir of microplastics in urban environments across diverse Asian contexts.
Microplastics in urban soils of Nanjing in eastern China: Occurrence, relationships, and sources
Researchers surveyed microplastics in urban green space soils across Nanjing, China, finding an average abundance of 461 particles per kilogram with fibers and fragments as the dominant forms. Source analysis linked microplastic patterns to nearby delivery and recycling activity points, suggesting that urban logistics infrastructure is an underrecognized microplastic source.
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.
The distribution of microplastics in soil aggregate fractions in southwestern China
Researchers investigated microplastic distribution across different soil types in agricultural and forested areas near a lake in southwestern China and found plastic particles in every sample, with concentrations as high as 42,960 particles per kilogram. Approximately 95% of the particles fell within the microplastic size range, and fibers were the dominant form, likely originating from textiles and agricultural materials. The study demonstrates that microplastic contamination in soils is extensive and varies with land use practices.
Distribution characteristics of soil microplastics and their impact on soil physicochemical properties in agricultural areas of the North China plain
Microplastics are accumulating across agricultural soils of the North China Plain, with this study finding moderate-to-low abundance across multiple land use types and detecting that plastic particles affect soil texture, bulk density, and water-holding capacity. Altered soil physical properties from microplastic contamination could impair crop growth and soil fertility over time, with implications for food security.
Trends in the occurrence and accumulation of microplastics in urban soil of Nanjing and their policy implications
Researchers tracked microplastic accumulation in the urban soils of Nanjing, China over 15 years and found that concentrations increased by nearly 50%, from about 327 to 481 particles per kilogram. Industrial areas and regions near transportation infrastructure showed the highest contamination levels. The study also evaluated the effectiveness of plastic reduction policies and found that while some interventions slowed the accumulation rate, overall pollution continued to rise.
Tracking of microplastics distribution patterns and their characterisation in deposited road dust from Dhaka city, Bangladesh
Researchers measured microplastic contamination in road dust across Dhaka, Bangladesh, finding thousands of particles per kilogram in samples from different road types and locations. Larger dust particles contained more microplastics, with fibers and fragments being the most common shapes, primarily made of polyethylene and polystyrene. Since road dust is kicked up into the air by traffic, these microplastics can be inhaled by pedestrians and residents, creating a direct exposure pathway for human health.
Land-use influence on soil microplastic pollution in Thailand: Implications for sustainable land management
Soil microplastic concentrations across seven land-use types in Thailand ranged widely, with roadside soils averaging 7,467 particles per kilogram — roughly 75 times higher than cassava fields. The findings highlight how traffic-related wear and road runoff are among the most intense sources of microplastic soil contamination, with implications for food crops grown near roads.
The Source, Distribution Characteristics,and Migration Behavior of Microplastic Pollutionin Soil Environment in China: A Review
Researchers reviewed how microplastics enter Chinese soils — mainly through plastic mulch films, sewage irrigation, and fertilizer application — and how they migrate through soil layers while carrying other pollutants with them. The review highlights that China's intensive agricultural practices make its soils among the most microplastic-contaminated on Earth, with implications for food safety and groundwater quality.
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.
Occurrence characteristics and risk assessment of microplastics in agricultural soils in the loess hilly gully area of Yan' an, China
Researchers measured microplastic levels in agricultural soil, water, and fertilizer in a farming region of central China and found an average of about 4,500 particles per kilogram of soil. Over 90% of the particles were smaller than 100 micrometers, and the main types were polyethylene and PET from sources like plastic mulch and compost. The findings show that farming practices are introducing significant microplastic contamination into the soil where food is grown.
Occurrence, distribution, and characteristics of microplastics in agricultural soil around a solid waste treatment center in southeast China
Researchers found microplastic contamination in all agricultural soil samples surrounding a solid waste treatment center in southeastern China, with concentrations up to 2,360 particles per kilogram and evidence that weathered polyethylene and polypropylene particles are accumulating heavy metals on their surfaces.