Various forms and deposition fluxes of microplastics identified in the coastal urban atmosphere

Zhou, Quan; Tian, Chongguo; Luo, Yongming

doi:10.1360/n972017-00956

Cited by 192 publications

(67 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…Recent research published in Marine Pollution Bulletin (2016) and Environment Pollution (2017) by Dris and his colleagues suggested that microplastics are now present in the atmosphere (air), both in indoor and outdoor air. This was confirmed in subsequent study by researchers which reported that microplastics can be transported in air in different forms or shape (Zhou et. al., 2017;Cai et.…”

Section: Microplastics Are Now In Our Atmospheresupporting

confidence: 78%

“…The entire movement (transport, dispersion, and deposition) processes is assisted by size, shape and length of the MP particle. This phenomenon has been demonstrated in recent studies (Zhou et. al., 2017;Kara et.…”

Section: Atmospheric Movement Of Microplasticssupporting

confidence: 77%

“…Similarly, higher distribution was reported for shorter fibre length of < 100-900 μm than longer length of 1000-> 2500 μm (< 2 %). Another example is from the study of Zhou et. al., (2017), who observed that with increasing particle size, amount of microplastics in the atmosphere of Yantai, China decreased dramatically over the year.…”

Section: Atmospheric Movement Of Microplasticsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Airborne Microplastics: A Review Study on Method for Analysis, Occurrence, Movement and Risks<strong> </strong>

Enyoh¹,

Wirnkor²,

Ngozi³

et al. 2019

Preprint

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Microplastics (of size < 5mm) pollution in our environment is of current concern by researchers, public media and non-governmental organizations. Implications by their presence in aquatic and soil ecosystems have been well studied and documented, but less attention has been paid on airborne microplastics (MPs). Studies concerning airborne microplastics started from 2016 and only a few (n=7) have been published till date. Although, studies may increase in the following years, since air is very important for human survival. Microplastics have been observed in atmospheric fallouts in indoor and outdoor environments using a sampling or vacuum pump, rain sampler and/or particulate fallout collector. Identification and quantification have been carried out by visual, spectroscopic and spectrometric techniques. Factors such as meterological, climatic and anthropogenic influence the distribution and movement of airborne MP. Human exposure may be through inhalation or dermal route with their potential biopersistence and translocation. Ingestion may cause localized inflammation and cancer due to responses by the immune cells, especially in individuals with compromised metabolism and poor clearance mechanisms. Ecological risks involve possible contamination of the ecosystem through a dynamic relationship of MPs in soil, water and air forming a MP contamination cycle. The present review aimed at providing a comprehensive overview of current knowledge or information regarding microplastics in air, identifies gap in knowledge and give suggestions for future research.

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Section: Microplastics Are Now In Our Atmospheresupporting

confidence: 78%

Section: Atmospheric Movement Of Microplasticssupporting

confidence: 77%

Section: Atmospheric Movement Of Microplasticsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Airborne Microplastics: A Review Study on Method for Analysis, Occurrence, Movement and Risks<strong> </strong>

Enyoh¹,

Wirnkor²,

Ngozi³

et al. 2019

Preprint

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“…Also, air movement contributes to the dissemination of microplastics in farming areas [29] [172]. The occurrence and fate of microplastics in soil are less studied [178].…”

Section: Microplastics In Sewage Sludgementioning

confidence: 99%

Microplastics and Wastewater Treatment Plants—A Review

Habib¹,

Thiemann²,

Kendi³

2020

JWARP

116

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The emission of microplastics into nature poses a threat to aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Their penetration of the food chain presents a danger to human health as well. Wastewater treatment plants can be seen as the last barrier between microplastics and the environment. This review focuses on the impact of waste treatment plants in retaining microplastics. Studies show that no wastewater treatment method leads to a complete retention of microplastics, and so wastewater treatment plants themselves are viewed as point sources for the discharge of microplastics into the aquatic environment. Problems associated with the utilization of microplastic loaded sewage sludge are also discussed in the review. Journal of Water Resource and Protection found as micropellets in cosmetic formulations and in facial cleaners and body scrubs (median size of 0.2 -0.4 mm), as microspherules in toothpastes (2 -5 μm in size), as well as in scrubbers used for air-blasting surfaces to remove paints and rust [25] and as drilling fluids in oil and gas exploration. A newer application is their use in drug delivery systems [26] [27]. In addition, synthetic polymer containing microparticles can also be released by the degradation of materials. The release of microfibers as a result of the washing of textiles has been widely reported as a source of microplastics [28] [29] [30] [31] [32]. These synthetic fibers, released by washing machines, are transported to waste water treatment plants [29] [33], where a considerable amount of them pass through the different treatment stages into the effluents due to their smaller size and enter the aquatic environment. It is estimated that around 35% of microplastics reaching the ocean are from synthetic textiles [34].Inventories of microplastics entering the environment have been attempted by organizations in different countries. A breakdown of the sources of microplastics in Sweden has been provided by Magnusson [35], which is given in detail below as an example of typical microplastic streams in developed countries. There is microplastic emission from plastic production, sandblasting material, cosmetic products, pharmaceutical drugs, textiles, road material and coatings. Using a spill factor of 0.04%, which was also used by Sundt et al. [26] for the estimation of pellet loss from the Norwegian plastic production plants, K. Magnusson et al. [35] have calculated a direct micropellet emission of 298 tons per year. In addition to that, there is loss due to the handling of plastic pellets which is set at between 0.0005% and 0.01%, adding another 12 -235 tons of microplastics emitted into the environment. These numbers were modeled on emission factors proposed by Lassen et al. [36] for the Danish production industry. However, no actual measured numbers of emissions of microplastics during production exist.The use of microplastics (e.g. of urea formaldehyde resins) in abrasive products for sandblasting has been deemed to be limited, and the use of these materials in Swedish shipyards is strictly regulated...

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“…There are many studies available on air pollution regarding suspended particulate matter (SPM), but concerning the presence of suspended microplastics in air has gained little attention. Limited evidence is available on the transport of microplastics in air [1,14,28,29,86,100,200]. These studies have identified fibrous microplastics ( Fig.…”

Section: Airmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microplastic–toxic chemical interaction: a review study on quantified levels, mechanism and implication

et al. 2019

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Current problem facing researchers globally is microplastics as well as toxic chemical pollution of the ecosystem. Microplastics carry toxic chemicals in the ecosystem serving as a vector for transport. In this study, a review of the literature has been conducted with the following objectives: (1) to summarize the concentrations of toxic chemicals such heavy metals and hydrophobic organic contaminants sorped on microplastics; (2) to evaluate their spatial distribution regarding adsorbed contaminant; (3) to discuss plausible mechanism by which microplastics adsorp or desorp toxic chemicals in the environment; (4) to discuss implications of their occurrence in air, water and soil media; and (5) to discuss the impact of ingested microplastics to human health. Microplastics are ubiquitous environmental contaminant. Concentrations of sorped toxic chemical varied by location which represents a local problem; industrialized areas (especially areas experiencing crude oil-related activities or have history of crude oil pollution) have higher concentrations than less industrialized areas. Ingestion of microplastics has been demonstrated in a range of marine and soil organisms as well as edible plants, thus possibly contaminating the base of the food web. Potential health effect to human is by particle localization, chemical toxicity and microbial toxins. We conclude by highlighting the gap in knowledge and suggesting key future areas of research for scientists and policymakers.

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Various forms and deposition fluxes of microplastics identified in the coastal urban atmosphere

Cited by 192 publications

References 3 publications

Airborne Microplastics: A Review Study on Method for Analysis, Occurrence, Movement and Risks<strong> </strong>

Airborne Microplastics: A Review Study on Method for Analysis, Occurrence, Movement and Risks<strong> </strong>

Microplastics and Wastewater Treatment Plants—A Review

Microplastic–toxic chemical interaction: a review study on quantified levels, mechanism and implication

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