Orals: Fri, 2 May | Room 0.11/12
High-resolution TD-PTR-MS as a novel analytical technique for nanoplastic detection – quantification in high-altitude glacial snow samples
Milena Latz1, Alasdair J Gill2, Robin Milner2, Dušan Materić1
1Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research Leipzig, Permoserstr. 15, 04318 Leipzig/DE
2www.high-level-route.com
On the Haute Route – a known 19th century mountaineering route from Chamonix (France) to Zermatt (Switzerland), snow samples were taken on high-altitude glacial levels (2364-3734 m). Analyzing samples from less travelled areas allows for a general picture of current effects of human-made plastic pollution beyond our urban scope. In these remote regions, environmental pollution is mainly airborne and distributed via winds. In this case, especially small plastic particles of sizes <1 µm (nanoplastics) can be easily transported through the atmosphere and even reach remote places. Nanoplastic particles pose a large threat, not only to the ecosystem, but also to human health. Being carried by the air, these small particles can enter our respiratory system via inhalation, accumulate, and even introduce harmful substances such as chemicals, viruses, or bacteria into our system. In order to further study current pollution levels and the effects on human health, an increased research in this field is necessary. To achieve this, glacial surface samples were analyzed for nanosized plastic particles via high-sensitivity TD-PTR-MS. Seven different plastic types (PE, PP, PS, PVC, PET, TWP, PTFE) were successfully detected.
TD-PTR-MS is a novel analytical method established for the detection of nanoplastics. While analysis of one sample can already be achieved in 15 min without lengthy preliminary steps, sample processing involves a more extensive pipeline. Both qualitive and semi-quantitative analysis of our environmental sample allowed for a detailed insight into plastic pollution in remote areas. Further analysis of the generated data through atmospheric particle dispersion modelling subsequently enables an outlook on the origins of plastic pollution detected.
The presented results were made possible through a citizen-science project in collaboration with the High Level Route Expedition (HLR-2022, https://www.high-level-route.com/). Especially in the field of environmental research, sample collection can be both a costly and time-intensive task. Moreover, travelling to remote, high-altitude areas can be dangerous for scientists lacking the necessary mountaineering training. Collaborations like these allow for safe, effective, and fast sampling at multiple sites at once, highlighting the importance of citizen-science projects for current research. With the promising results of the previous project in mind, we are introducing the Global Atmospheric Plastic Survey (GAPS, https://gaps2024.com/). This sampling project collaborates with mountaineers from across the world, generating data on plastic pollution on high-altitude remote regions worldwide. In this work, we can already report preliminary results from remote glaciers in Bolivia and the Tian Shen mountain range.
How to cite: Latz, M.: High-resolution TD-PTR-MS as a novel analytical technique for nanoplastic detection– quantification in high-altitude glacial snow samples, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-16816, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-16816, 2025.
Despite the increasing numbers of observations of atmospheric microplastic (MP), including at the poles, the marine boundary layer, clouds, high mountains snow, and the atmospheric fallout of densely populated areas, the identification of the main sources of emissions in the atmosphere remains complicated. Their emissions are still not well characterized and there are high uncertainties in the attempts of estimating their relative contributions. In this work, we apply to atmospheric microplastic observations a widespread method for source apportionment of air pollutants, based on Lagrangian modelling. We will specifically use the latest version of the state-of-the-art model, FLEXPART-v11 (Bakels et al., 2024), which incorporates the ability to simulate the transport patterns of irregular particles, such as fibers. These particles are characterized by higher drag coefficients (Tatsii et al., 2023) compared to the values typically assumed in conventional settling schemes, usually based on the assumption of spherical particles. The method will be applied to different time series of microplastic concentrations from literature, including data from Thermal Desorption - Proton Transfer Reaction - Mass Spectrometry (TD-PTR-MS) describing the total mass of MP, and data from micro-Raman and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), which instead provides information on particles counts, size, shape and composition. Among the results, the analysis suggests that ocean sources may be dominant in certain regions of the free troposphere, and that the total microplastic atmospheric emissions are not directly related to the population density, as instead often assumed.
References:
Bakels, L., Tatsii, D., Tipka, A., Thompson, R., Dütsch, M., Blaschek, M., Seibert, P., Baier, K., Bucci, S., Cassiani, M., Eckhardt, S., Zwaaftink, C. G., Henne, S., Kaufmann, P., Lechner, V., Maurer, C., Mulder, M. D., Pisso, I., Plach, A., . . . Stohl, A. (2024). Flexpart version 11: Improved accuracy, efficiency, and flexibility. Geoscientific Model Development, 17, 7595–7627. https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-17-7595-2024
Tatsii, D., Bucci, S., Bhowmick, T., Guettler, J., Bakels, L., Bagheri, G., & Stohl, A. (2023). Shape matters: Long-range transport of microplastic fibers in the atmosphere. Environmental Science Technology. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.3c08209
How to cite: Bucci, S., Tatsii, D., Evangelou, I., and Stohl, A.: Can we identify the dominant sources of atmospheric microplastic?, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-17157, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-17157, 2025.
Recent studies highlight the environmental threat of microplastic pollution, both in waterways and as airborne particles.1,2 Airborne microplastics may affect climate by influencing cloud formation and precipitation through heterogeneous ice nucleation.3,4 In addition, if microplastics are effective at nucleating ice, their lifetime may be influenced by ice nucleation followed by precipitation. Yet, the role of microplastics as ice-nucleating particles and their impact on cloud ice formation remains largely unknown.
Here, we present evidence of ice nucleation in the immersion freezing mode induced by various microplastics. Specifically, two polypropylene samples and one polyethylene terephthalate sample exhibited heterogeneous freezing with median temperatures of -20.9°C, -23.2°C, and -21.9°C, respectively, while the water background froze at -25.8°C. The number of ice nucleation sites per surface area, ns(T), ranged from 10-1 to 104 cm-2 within a temperature range of -15 to -25°C, similar to volcanic ash and fungal spores. Following exposure to ozone or a combination of UV light and ozone, mimicking atmospheric aging, the ice nucleation activity either decreased or remained unchanged.5
In addition, we investigated the ice nucleation ability of tire wear particles, which are classified as microplastics and are considered a dominant type of urban airborne microplastics.6 Tire wear aerosols were generated by running a truck on a dynamometer to simulate real-world driving conditions. Aerosols were collected on Nuclepore filters and tested for freezing activity, revealing freezing temperatures above the water background.
Our freezing data suggest that microplastics including tire wear samples may promote ice formation in cloud droplets. In addition, based on a comparison of our freezing results and previous simulations using a global transport model, ice nucleation by microplastics will impact their long-range transport to faraway locations and global distribution.
References:
1. Dris, R.; Gasperi, J.; Rocher, V.; Saad, M.; Renault, N.; Tassin, B. Microplastic Contamination in an Urban Area: A Case Study in Greater Paris. Environ. Chem. 2015, 12 (5), 592–599.
2. Allen, S.; Allen, D.; Baladima, F.; Phoenix, V. R.; Thomas, J. L.; Le Roux, G.; Sonke, J. E. Evidence of Free Tropospheric and Long-Range Transport of Microplastic at Pic Du Midi Observatory. Nat. Commun. 2021, 12 (1), 7242.
3. Ganguly, M.; Ariya, P. A. Ice Nucleation of Model Nanoplastics and Microplastics: A Novel Synthetic Protocol and the Influence of Particle Capping at Diverse Atmospheric Environments. ACS Earth Space Chem. 2019, 3 (9), 1729–1739.
4. Aeschlimann, M., Li, G., Kanji, Z.A. and Mitrano, D.M. Potential impacts of atmospheric microplastics and nanoplastics on cloud formation processes. Nat. Geosci. 2022, 15(12), 967-975.
5. Seifried, T.M., Nikkho, S., Morales Murillo, A., Andrew, L.J., Grant, E.R. and Bertram, A.K. Microplastic particles contain ice nucleation sites that can be inhibited by atmospheric aging. Environ. Sci. Technol. 2024, 58(35), 15711-15721.
6. Evangeliou, N., Grythe, H., Klimont, Z., Heyes, C., Eckhardt, S., Lopez-Aparicio, S. and Stohl, A. Atmospheric transport is a major pathway of microplastics to remote regions. Nat. Commun., 2020, 11(1), 3381.
How to cite: Seifried, T. M., Nikkho, S., Morales Murillo, A., Andrew, L. J., Uppal, G., Varcoe, C., Rogak, S. N., Grant, E. R., and Bertram, A. K.: Potential Influence of Microplastics on Cloud Formation through Heterogeneous Ice Nucleation, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-12448, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-12448, 2025.
Airborne microplastics, an emerging class of anthropogenic aerosols, are small and lightweight, allowing them to remain suspended in the atmosphere for extended periods of time. Their detection in remote locations (such as Antarctica) and in high-altitude cloud water raises questions about their potential impacts on climate systems. As global climate models do not routinely include airborne microplastics as an aerosol species, the full consequences of microplastics on climate remain uncertain. To investigate these impacts, we have incorporated micro- and nanoplastics (MnP) as a new aerosol species within GLOMAP-mode, the aerosol scheme used in the United Kingdom Chemistry & Aerosols (UKCA) component model of the UK Earth System Model (UKESM). MnP have been implemented in GLOMAP-mode alongside the existing aerosol species of sulfate, black carbon, organic carbon, sea salt and dust. Microplastics can be emitted into UKESM as both fragments and fibres. MnP are added to the Aitken (5 – 50 nm), accumulation (50 - 500 nm), coarse (> 500 nm) and super-coarse (> 2500 nm) modes. Emissions are sourced from an observationally-derived dataset with global spatial coverage. MnP are initially emitted in insoluble modes but can transition to soluble modes through the accumulation of organic material on their surfaces, enabling them to act as CCN. Airborne microplastics in UKSEM transported and can be removed from the atmosphere by both dry and wet deposition processes. We present preliminary results using the new microplastics scheme, which has been run for both microplastics fragments and fibres. Our novel microplastic scheme is a significant advancement in modelling airborne microplastics and lays the groundwork for understanding their impact on climate and the wider Earth system.
How to cite: McErlich, C., Hardacre, C., Goddard, F., Evangeliou, N., and Revell, L.: Global climate model development: Adding microplastics to the UK Earth System Model, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-1543, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-1543, 2025.
Small nano-sized plastic particles can enter the atmosphere and be transported globally from source areas to remote regions. In contrast to secondary nanoplastic emissions, plastic materials exposed to high temperatures can emit large amounts of nanoplastics directly into the atmosphere. However, very little is known about emission rates and physical and chemical characteristics of these particles. In this work, we conducted laboratory smoldering experiments to simulate smoldering emissions of PVC, PP, LDPE, PET and PS. We measured the chemical composition using aerosol mass spectrometry show that both polymeric materials (characteristic of nanoplastics) and thermo-oxidation products are emitted in submicron particles. Based on the emission factors measured, we estimate that plastic waste burning and building fires can contribute roughly 0.5–5 megatons per year of nanoplastics, which exceeds emissions from oceans, and comparable to tire wear.
The chemical fate of these particles was also examined by exposing the particles to atmospheric oxidants. We observe that these particles can age at appreciable rates under simulated oxidation conditions, on the order of days to weeks. These rates are similar to that of organic aerosol. This extent of oxidation in the atmosphere has strong implications on their hygroscopicity and their atmospheric fate, suggesting extensive oxidation prior to their deposition. Our laboratory studies provide mechanistic understanding for modeling atmospheric processes of nanoplastic particles and quantitative information for estimating atmospheric burden from plastic burning.
How to cite: Chan, A., Shen, H., Kong, L., Tawadrous, M., Wang, X., Abbatt, J., Chan, M. N., and Lee, A.: Plastic burning: An important global source of atmospheric nanoplastic particles, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-6787, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-6787, 2025.
Microplastics have been identified in most terrestrial areas of Earth including rural, remote and isolated locations where the only likely source is through atmospheric transport and deposition. To date there has been limited attention paid to the fundamentals of microplastic transport by wind, and in particular, the similarities and differences between the motion of mineral grains and microplastic particles within boundary layer flows. These fundamentals are key to future modelling of mineral-microplastic interaction in the atmosphere. This research examines the dynamics of microplastic entrainment and transport by wind, focusing on fibres which are one of the most common shapes associated with aeolian systems. A series of particle tracking velocimetry (PTV) experiments was conducted in a boundary layer wind tunnel to determine how nylon fibres (4 mm length) travel through the air and interact with the ground surface. The high-speed camera images show that the silhouette area presented to the wind has a high degree of temporal variability for fibres, as compared to sedimentary particles, affecting the fluid drag (e.g. form versus skin friction), translational versus rotational energy, and lift. The motion of plastic particles in the flow follows a variety of different patterns, including end-over-end cartwheeling and horizontal transport with the long-axis oriented flow parallel. The progression of an airborne plastic particle through different motion types (a "lifecycle") appears to be orderly, despite a wide variability in the length of time spent in each particular motion type. Travelling across a mobile sand bed, microplastic fibres are observed to dislodge and cause the ejection of sand particles suggesting they can contribute to the development of the saltation cloud and may have the potential to reduce the threshold velocity for sand transport.
How to cite: Bullard, J., Alvarez Barrantes, L., McKenna Neuman, C., and O'Brien, P.: Atmospheric transport dynamics of microplastic fibres, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-18591, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-18591, 2025.
While plastics have been detected in remote locations across the planet, there remains uncertainty in the mechanisms governing global microplastic transport. The transfer of plastic pollution from the marine environment to the air via crashing waves may be a significant avenue of atmospheric microplastic entrainment. In this study, sampling was conducted at coastal locations in Aotearoa New Zealand, a remote region near the Southern Ocean that does not contain high levels of plastic production. Results from both active and passive sampling, in conjunction with air parcel back trajectory analysis, indicated that local atmospheric microplastic concentrations were derived from the marine environment. The use of pyrolysis GC/MS allowed for the determination of airborne mass concentrations of seven different polymers, finding that airborne microplastic levels at remote coastal areas were similar to those previously reported at urban sampling locations. These results highlight the significance of the air-ocean interface in relation to long range microplastic transport, and further work relating to the impacts on climate – such as in the Southern Ocean region – and to local health are warranted.
How to cite: Rindelaub, J., Salmond, J., Fan, W., and Miskelly, G.: Airborne microplastic concentrations in remote coastal environments, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-7749, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-7749, 2025.
Microplastics (MP) have emerged as pervasive pollutants, present in environments ranging from urban centers to remote areas worldwide. While research has largely concentrated on aquatic and terrestrial systems, the study of microplastics in airborne particles is a comparatively new and evolving domain. In particular, investigating the risks of inhaling nano- and microplastic particles is critical, as fine particulate matter (PM) with aerodynamic diameters under 10 µm (PM10) is recognized for its substantial potential to impact human health.
This study presents the development and optimization of methodologies for identifying and quantifying microplastic content in PM10 samples. Critical aspects of the workflow include the selection of appropriate filter materials in sampling, such as quartz fibre filters (QFF) and steel mesh filters, chosen for their minimal interference with subsequent analytical techniques. Sampling durations were optimized to ensure sufficient microplastic proportion while avoiding filter overloading.
Pre-treatment protocols were carefully designed to isolate microplastics from the complex atmospheric particulate matter matrix, enabling compatibility with Raman microscopy. These protocols incorporate chemical digestion steps tailored to reduce organic matter while preserving polymer integrity and use density separation with heavy salt solutions to effectively remove inorganic contaminants like mineral dust.
Methodological improvements were validated through controlled experiments, demonstrating reliability in detecting microplastics including particles below 10 microns. The study also addresses the challenges in applying automated Raman microscopy for rapid identification and quantification. Issues such as background interference, polymer-specific spectral variability, and the need for optimized machine learning algorithms to classify microplastic types are explored, highlighting advancements and limitations in automation.
In parallel, the study employs a mass-based analytical technique, pyrolysis gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (pyrolysis GC/MS), to complement particle-based findings. Results from this approach underline the importance of selecting appropriate quantification parameters, such as calibration standards and sampling subsets, to ensure accurate mass-specific data.
To contextualize findings, a comparative analysis was conducted to evaluate microplastic concentrations and polymer characteristics in PM10 samples collected from urban and rural locations. This comparison of the results raises the opportunity to evaluate the spatial variability of microplastic pollution and the influence of local and regional activities, providing valuable insights into the sources, dispersal mechanisms, and environmental impact of airborne microplastics.
How to cite: Schumacher, M. and Fischer, D.: Raman Microscopy and Pyrolysis GC/MS for Comprehensive Analysis of PM10 Microplastics: Method Development and Urban-Rural Comparison, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-299, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-299, 2025.
The atmosphere is recognized as one of the major pathways for microplastics (MPs) transport from land to the ocean. Reducing uncertainties in deposition flux estimates requires an integrated approach that combines temporal variability, evaluated through long-term monitoring at a fixed station, and spatial variability, assessed through mobile observations. In this study, the deposition flux and pollution characteristics of atmospheric microplastics in the East Sea were analyzed through long-term monitoring at a fixed station (Ulleung Island) and mobile observations conducted via a research vessel (R/V Onnuri). From November 2022 to October 2023, the total deposition flux of MPs measured at the fixed station ranged from 43 to 991 n/m²/day, with an average of 209 ± 281 n/m²/day. The average fluxes of dry and wet deposition were 119 ± 165 n/m²/day and 89 ± 120 n/m²/day, respectively. Although dry deposition exhibited a higher average flux than wet deposition, the difference was not statistically significant. Fragments (67.2%) accounted for the majority of MP shape, with the most common size range being 20-100 μm (72.9%). The dominant polymers identified were polypropylene (32.4%), followed by polyester (30.1%) and polyethylene (15.3%). Cluster-mean back trajectory analysis revealed that MPs in the East Sea originated not only from nearby marine sources but also from distant terrestrial air masses. The spatial distribution of MP deposition measured using a mobile platform showed a decreasing deposition flux with increasing distance from land. Smaller MPs were more frequently detected farther from land, along with a higher proportion of fibrous PES. These mobile observation results were consistent with those of MPs observed at a fixed station. These findings are expected to reduce uncertainties in estimating the atmospheric input of MPs into the ocean.
Acknowledgements
This research was supported by 'Land/Sea-based input and fate of microplastics in the marine environment' of Korea Institute of Marine Science & Technology Promotion (KIMST) funded by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, Republic of Korea (RS-2022-KS221604).
How to cite: Won, J., Loh, A., An, J. G., Kim, D., and Yim, U. H.: A Multi-Platform Study on Atmospheric Deposition Flux of Microplastics in the East Sea (Sea of Japan), EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-14538, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-14538, 2025.
Agricultural management practices significantly influence the the emission of particulate matter into the atmosphere, which is a key component of air quality indicators. In particular, agricultural soils in drylands, which constitute ~40% of Earth's terrestrial surface, are highly vulnerable to emissions via accelerated wind erosion because of factors such as increased aridity, recurrent droughts, crop failures, lack of irrigation, and unsustainable soil management practices. These lands are often subjected to large-scale biosolid application, irrigation with reclaimed (grey) water, and plastic mulching to meet the growing demand for water and to reduce reliance on fossil fuel-intensive fertilizers. However, these practices could significantly increase microplastics in the topsoil. Wind can transport these microplastic particles beyond agricultural systems, potentially carrying adsorbed contaminants such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). To evaluate inhalation exposure risks, it is crucial to understand the extent of microplastic pollution and the mechanisms driving their resuspension from agricultural soils. To investigate microplastic emission potential, we used a combination of wind tunnel studies and laboratory experiments on biosolid-amended agricultural soils. Our findings reveal that inhalable microplastics are preferentially entrained and enriched through two primary mechanisms: (1) the accelerated emission of fine plastic particles under wind conditions that are lower than those required for initiating movement of background soil particles (direct suspension without saltation), and (2) the generation and resuspension of fine plastic particles resulting from the abrasion of larger plastic fragments or soil-plastic aggregates by sand grains (saltation-induced suspension). We developed a theoretical framework to explain this preferential transport, attributing it to the low density and reduced interparticle forces between microplastics and soil. Our findings suggest that current methods and models for fugitive dust emissions may underestimate the particulate matter emission potential of amended soils. This is due to limitations in detecting fine particles during sampling and the inadequate representation of plastic entrainment mechanisms (e.g., suspension without saltation) in existing dust emission models. To illustrate this, we demonstrated that over 85% of wind events above bare soil surface exceed the threshold velocity required to mobilize microplastics of a specific size, while only 20% of these events surpass the threshold velocity for background soil particles. Given that fine microplastics may adsorb contaminants from agricultural soils, their preferential entrainment by wind could lead to a concentration of these contaminants in airborne dust, posing potential environmental and health risks.
How to cite: Ravi, S. and Mohanty, S.: Are we underestimating microplastic emissions from agricultural soils?, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-7251, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-7251, 2025.
Posters on site: Fri, 2 May, 14:00–15:45 | Hall X5
Road dust samples were collected in Warsaw, the capital of Poland and assessed both as a whole (“all”) and after separation into five size fractions: (1–0.8 mm, “0.8”), (0.8–0.6 mm, “0.6”), (0.6–0.4 mm, “0.4”), (0.4–0.2 mm, “0.2”), and (below 0.2 mm, “<0.2”). RD is composed of the “0.4” and “0.8” fractions, which contribute the most to the total mass, whereas “<0.2” and “0.2,” have a lower overall contribution.
The qualitative and quantitative analysis of microplastics (MPs) in various fractions of road dust revealed the presence of materials such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyamide, naturally occurring polyamide, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyurethane (PU), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and rubber. The largest quantities were observed for polypropylene and rubber, while the smallest quantities of MPs were recorded in the largest analyzed fraction of dust, "0.8". Conversely, the highest number of MPs, amounting to 51,660 particles, was noted in the smallest fraction, "<0.2," in sample WAW4. An increasing trend in the number of MPs was observed with decreasing particle size in samples WAW1 and WAW4. Plastic particles can pose significant environmental risks, not only due to their presence but also because of the additives used in plastics manufacturing. The road dust samples were analyzed for bisphenol A and phthalic acid esters, which act as plasticizers. Four phthalates were detected: dimethyl phthalate (DMP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), and di-n-octyl phthalate (DNOP). The highest concentrations were recorded for DBP and DEHP, reaching 48.72 µg/g and 37.59 µg/g, respectively, in sample WAW2 for the "<0.2" fraction. A strong correlation was found between MPs and DEHP in samples WAW1 and WAW4, indicating the release of this contaminant from plastics. For the other contaminants, no significant correlations were observed, suggesting diverse sources of these substances in the analyzed samples.Magnetic susceptibility analysis reveals the highest values in the “<0.2” fraction, with bulk samples showing intermediate levels and coarser fractions generally lower. An exception is observed at WAW1, where the “0.8” fraction exhibits the highest χ.
Strong Pearson coefficients were obtained between χ and DEHP (0.78), DBP (0.96), and BPA (0.89) for WAW2. For WAW3, the best correlation with χ was observed for DEHP (0.89), whereas for WAW4, an excellent correlation was found between MPs (0.97) and DBP (0.9). For the finest fractions “0.2” and “<0.2”, strong correlations were observed between χ, DBA and DBP (ranging from 0.8 to 0.9). Such a result may indicate a good prospect for using χ for the preliminary assessment of DBA and BPA concentrations in fine fractions of RD.
Acknowledgment
This research was funded in whole by the National Science Centre (Poland), grant number 2021/43/D/ST10/00996. This work was supported by a subsidy from the Polish Ministry of Education and Science for the Institute of Geophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences.
How to cite: Kida, M., Dytłow, S., and Ziembowicz, S.: Microplastic Distibution and Magnetic Susceptibility in Size-Fractionated Road Dust from Warsaw: Environmental Implications., EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-2806, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-2806, 2025.
Microplastics (MPs), defined as particles measuring between 1 μm and 5 mm, originate from the fragmentation of larger plastic materials or are produced intentionally. These particles have attracted considerable attention in aquatic, terrestrial, and marine environments. Despite the pivotal role played by the atmosphere in the global transport and dispersion of MPs, there is a paucity of data concerning their atmospheric abundance and deposition. Additionally, the existing measurements exhibit substantial variability, and global estimates of total MP emissions tend to reflect significant inconsistencies based on the estimation method.
This study seeks to address these gaps by reconciling current measurement data with estimated emission fluxes through a detailed analysis of source-receptor relationships that link emissions, atmospheric concentrations, and deposition measurements. To establish these source-receptor relationships, we employ the Lagrangian particle dispersion model FLEXPART, considering various shapes and sizes of microplastics. Back trajectory analysis is utilized to elucidate the sources of MPs in distinct geographical regions. Three MP emission inventories, estimated with different methods, are combined with the back trajectory output to yield the simulated values at the measurement locations.
For the geographical region of Europe, around 50% of the simulated MP concentration values agree with the measured values within a factor of 10, while only 5% of the simulated deposition is in a 10-factor range of the deposition data. A clear overprediction of the modeled values indicates that the available emissions may be lower, that the transport and scavenging scheme of the model should be reconsidered, or that the measuring and identification methodologies are coming with substantial errors. We emphasize that a uniform sampling protocol should be created to achieve reliable and comparable data, and more efforts should be made to create bottom-up emission inventories based on relevant emission factors and proxies.
How to cite: Evangelou, I., Evangeliou, N., and Stohl, A.: Atmospheric microplastic measurements reconciliation with emission estimates: A Lagrangian approach, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-8428, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-8428, 2025.
Atmospheric transport and deposition are key processes in the global spread of microplastics (MPs). However, field-based observational data are limited, and the dynamics of MP transport and deposition are still insufficiently understood. This study aimed to identify the effects of long-range transport and urbanization by comparing identical time-series data on atmospheric MP deposition between an urban city (Seoul, SE; ~10 million residents) and a remote region (Baengnyeong Island, BI; located on the Yellow Sea). In 2023, atmospheric MP deposition samples were simultaneously collected from both regions during the same period every month. Each sample was continuously collected using selective air deposition samplers to separate dry (DD) and wet deposition (WD). A total of 48 samples, comprising 12 pairs of DD and WD from each site, were analyzed for MPs (≥20 µm). Both sites exhibited a lower trend in total deposition (TD; sum of DD and WD) flux of MPs during the summer compared to other seasons, suggesting that MP deposition was influenced by atmospheric stability and monsoon scouring effects. Despite similar monthly pattern, TD flux of MPs was 3.5 times higher at SE (271±155 n/m²/day) than at BI (77.1±76.4 n/m²/day), with significant differences between the two regions for all monthly samples (paired t-test; p<0.01) except for March, supporting the emission effect from local sources in urban area. In March, which was marked by the dominance of westerly winds from eastern China and the highest aerosol (PM10) concentrations at both BI and SE, MP-TD fluxes recorded the highest at BI (311 n/m2/day) and the second highest at SE (330 n/m2/day) among those observed at each site. The March-MP flux increased by 6.3-fold (BI) and 1.6-fold (SE) compared to other months, with a larger increase in BI compared to PM10 (2.4-fold vs. 2.3-fold), indicating stronger trans-boundary transport at the remote regions. Major five polymers accounted for 94.4% (BI) and 84.2% (SE) of MPs, with the most weathering-prone PP dominating (69.0% and 59.3%), indicating fugitive input from aged plastics. WD was 10 (BI) and 5 (SE) times more efficient in MP deposition than DD, but contributed only 47% (BI) and 36% (SE) to monthly TD due to limited precipitation. Although fragment-shaped MPs prevailed in TDs of both BI (88.6%) and SE (94.9%), higher fiber proportion in WD than DD (14.2% vs. 8.2% in BI and 5.8% vs. 3.7% in SE) represented susceptible precipitation-scavenging potential of fibers. However, higher proportion of fibers in TD of BI (10.7%) than of SE (4.5%), with significant differences (p<0.01) between the two regions, suggests that fibers are more likely to survive long-distance transport. Our findings help improve the uncertainties in global MP dispersion and budget.
Acknowledgement: This work was supported by 'Land/Sea-based input and fate of microplastics in the marine environment' of Korea Institute of Marine Science & Technology Promotion (KIMST) funded by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, Republic of Korea (20220357), and was also partially supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korea government (MSIT) (No. RS-2024-00356940).
How to cite: Ji, Y.-J., Kim, S.-K., Tian, Z., Seong, M.-J., Shin, J.-H., Je, C.-Y., Jeong, E.-S., and Yim, U.-H.: Atmospheric Dry and Wet Deposition of Microplastics in an Urban Area and a Remote Island: Year-Round Consecutive Monthly Observations, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-8481, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-8481, 2025.
The apparent omnipresence of plastic waste is a serious global issue. The question of micro- and nanoplastics pollution in the environment has been more widely addressed in recent years, and its occurrence in the oceans, freshwater systems, air, soil and various organisms has been well documented [1]. This widespread pollution not only threatens ecosystems it also raises concerns about potential impacts on human health [2]. Alongside the well-studied transport pathway in marine and freshwater systems, micro- and nanoparticles can also be distributed via airborne pathways [1]. In-situ sampling sites provide only in-direct evidence of some possible pathways. Thus, the use of atmospheric models to study atmospheric pathways of different classes of micro- and nanoplastics can give valuable insights into the atmospheric redistribution and possible sources. Various models can be used to describe the behaviour of airborne particles. Trajectory models, like HYSPLIT [3], trace the path of an air parcel with low computational effort, excluding the effect of diffusion and turbulence. In contrast, the weather forecast model ICON and its aerosol and reactive trace gases module ART account for these factors [4], describing the status and the development of the atmosphere in more detail. Using the data of nanoplastic in-situ measurements at a remote sampling site in the high-altitude Alps [5] and the combination of HYSPLIT backwards and ICON-ART forwards simulations, the two model types are compared and characterized, exploring their potential and limitations in describing airborne micro- and nanoplastic particle distributions and revealing potential pathways and attributing possible source regions.
[1] Allen, Steve, et al. "Micro (nano) plastics sources, fate, and effects: What we know after ten years of research." Journal of Hazardous Materials Advances 6 (2022): 100057.
[2] Lehner, Roman, et al. "Emergence of nanoplastic in the environment and possible impact on human health." Environmental science & technology 53.4 (2019): 1748-1765.
[3] Stein, Ariel F., et al. "NOAA’s HYSPLIT atmospheric transport and dispersion modeling system." Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society 96.12 (2015): 2059-2077.
[4] Rieger, Daniel, et al. "ICON-ART 1.0–a new online-coupled model system from the global to regional scale." Geoscientific Model Development Discussions 8.1 (2015): 567-614.
[5] Materić, Dušan, et al. "Nanoplastics transport to the remote, high-altitude Alps." Environmental Pollution 288 (2021): 117697.
How to cite: Hamann, T., Braesicke, P., Bumberger, J., and Schüler, L.: A Comparative Examination of Atmospheric Models for Studying Airborne Micro- and Nanoplastic Pollution, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-10405, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-10405, 2025.
Physical and Chemical Characterisation of Nanoplastic Aerosol
Peter J. Wlasits1, and Paul M. Winkler1
1 Faculty of Physics, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
Mass production of plastic products has led to an environmental problem on global scale. Consequently, an increasing number of studies has investigated the impact of micro- and nanoplastics on the environment in recent years (e. g. Amobonye et al., 2021). As a consequence of their small sizes, nanoplastic particles undergo long range atmospheric transport and deposit in remote regions (Materić et al., 2021; 2022). Hence, measurement techniques capable of accurately detecting nanoplastic aerosol are urgently needed.
The presented project, funded by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF) [10.55776/PAT5114323], relies on the controlled generation of nanoplastic particles from gas-to-particle conversion (Wlasits et al., 2022). The aforementioned generation method enables process level studies under well-defined laboratory conditions.
Accordingly, nanoplastic aerosols will be generated by exposing selected macroplastics to thermal stress in a tube furnace (Wlasits et al., 2022). Aerosol particles will then be size selected using a differential mobility analyser and subsequently fed into detectors for physical and chemical analysis. The chemical composition of the generated particles will be investigated using an atmospheric pressure interface time-of-flight mass spectrometer, capable of analysing particles of both polarities simultaneously. Prior to mass analysis particles will undergo thermal decomposition and ionisation. Physical characterisation will be performed using the Size Analysing Nuclei Counter (SANC), an expansion-type condensation particle counter providing nucleation probabilities as a function of the saturation ratio (Wlasits et al., 2023).
In summary, the outlined project is based on a comprehensive experimental approach combining physical and chemical information about nanoplastic aerosol. New insights on the influence of nanoplastic particles on cloud formation will be gained and the potential use of condensation techniques for nanoplastic detection will be investigated.
References
Amobonye, A., Bhagwat, P. , Raveendran, S., Singh, S., and Pillai, S., Microbiol., 12, 768297, 2021, doi:10.3389/fmicb.2021.768297.
Materić, D., Ludewig, E., Brunner, D., Röckmann, T., and Holzinger, R., Environ. Pollut., 288, 117697, 2021, doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2021.117697.
Materić, D., Kjær, H. A., Vallelonga, P., Tison, J.-L., Röckmann, T., and Holzinger, R., Environ. Res., 208, 112741, 2022, doi:10.1016/j.envres.2022.112741.
Wlasits, P. J., Stoellner, A., Lattner, G., Maggauer, K., and Winkler, P. M., Aerosol Sci. Technol., 56 (2), 176–185, 2022, doi:10.1080/02786826.2021.1998339.
Wlasits, P. J., Konrat, R., and Winkler, P. M., Environ. Sci. Technol., 57 (4), 1584–1591, 2023, doi:10.1021/acs.est.2c07643.
How to cite: Wlasits, P. J. and Winkler, P. M.: Physical and Chemical Characterisation of Nanoplastic Aerosol , EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-11340, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-11340, 2025.
Traffic-related microscale particles, including passenger car tire-wear particles (PCTWPs), are recognised as one of the primary sources of microplastic pollution. While the chemical composition, shape characterisation, and emission rates of these non-exhaust traffic emission have received some attention, their detachment behaviour from surfaces into the air after deposition remains poorly understood. Their irregular, elongated shapes and relative orientation to the near-surface airflows pose significant challenges which influence aerodynamic performance. Moreover, the effect of their spatial deposition pattern at detachment needs to be studied as it may be relevant for potential particle-particle blockages and impacts. Owing to the multifactorial nature of drivers controlling the detachment process which may not lend itself to simple multi-linear correlation, we use a state-of-the-art deep learning (DL) based instance segmentation model, named You Only Look Once version 8 nano (YoloV8n) to detect, segment, characterise, and resolve particle detachment in high-resolution imagery from wind tunnel experiments. Three different PCTWP seeding approaches, namely tipping, sieving, and fabricated pressurised methods were evaluated and compared to identify the optimal method for uniform particle distribution with minimal agglomerates on substrates. The fabricated pressurised seeding method was selected as the optimal technique adopted for subsequent detachment experiments. PCTWPs were deposited onto glass surfaces and exposed to evolving, turbulent flow conditions. The model performance was evaluated using a variety of statistical quantities from the DL model including precision, recall, Intersection over Union (IoU) and dice coefficient metrics. The resolved detachment was analysed under two different transient conditions, subject to flow evolution, using PCTWPs with various size distributions (50µm - 220µm). For each condition, eight replicates were conducted to ensure statistical reliability. The analysis was performed as a function of time and friction velocity. Our results revealed that PCTWPs exhibit a median threshold fluid friction velocity at 0.46m/s for detachment, which is notably higher than that of polyethylene beads of 0.13 m/s for particles of the same size cohort. This highlights the significant role of local variations in the balance of forces and particle shape plays a crucial role in influencing detachment potential.
How to cite: Ayinde, B. O., Babel, W., Olesch, J., Agarwal, S., Wagner, D., Nölscher, A., and Thomas, C.: Quantifying the detachment dynamics of microplastic car tire-wear particles using a deep learning framework in a laboratory wind tunnel., EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-11439, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-11439, 2025.
This study quantifies microplastics based on atmospheric concentration measurements, achieved by optimizing the measurements against the theoretical output of an atmospheric transport model. The core of our contribution is addressing the severe ill-posedness of this inverse problem, as the solution space for spatial-temporal emissions is much larger than the number of available measurements. For regularization of the inverse problem, we assume that microplastics sources follow patterns from agriculture, dust, road dust, and ocean emissions. The emissions are mapped to measurements using source-receptor sensitivity relations, forming an optimization problem. To rigorously estimate emissions and precisely quantify the associated uncertainties, we developed a hierarchical prior model, whose parameters are estimated using a Gibbs sampler. Our results show that the estimates are significantly uncertain, with standard deviations often being about the same size as the mean values. We conclude that uncertainties are reasonably quantified considering the issue related to the microplastics measurements and modeling.
Acknowledgment:
This research has been supported by the Czech Science Foundation (grant no. GA24-10400S).
How to cite: Tichý, O., Košík, V., Šmídl, V., and Evangeliou, N.: Atmospheric microplastics emissions estimation and uncertainty quantification using Gibbs sampler, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-11924, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-11924, 2025.
Microplastics (MPs) can be transported into clouds, where they can affect formation and properties of clouds by acting as ice-nucleating particles (INPs), indirectly influencing the global climate.
However, MPs have not been considered contributors to total INP concentrations.
In this study, we quantify road traffic-related (i.e. from tire wear, brake wear, road markings and polymer-modified bitumen) MP number concentrations and estimate their contribution to total INP concentrations using the atmospheric transport model FLEXPART.
To do this, we provide two possible global road traffic-related MP emissions scenarios.
We find that MPs can disperse throughout the entire troposphere and reach regions with low natural ice nucleating particle concentrations.
Under a high emissions scenario, ice-active MPs can contribute from about 0.1% to more than 40% of the total INP number under immersion freezing conditions in some areas of the tropics, while under cirrus conditions, their contribution can be up to about 7% over the tropical Pacific and up to about 20% over East Antarctica.
Our results suggest that in regions where other effective INPs are rare, ice-active MP concentrations may be sufficient to trigger heterogeneous ice nucleation of ice crystals in mixed-phase or cirrus clouds, especially when concentrations of other effective INPs (mineral dust, marine particles, or bioaerosols) are low or absent.
These results underscore the potential role of MPs in cloud formation and highlight the need to reduce uncertainties in MP emissions and their fate in the atmosphere as plastic production and use continue to grow.
How to cite: Tatsii, D., Gasparini, B., Evangelou, I., Bucci, S., and Stohl, A.: Do Microplastics Contribute to the Total Number Concentration of Ice Nucleating Particles?, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-13857, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-13857, 2025.
Microplastics and nanoplastics are recognised as common airborne pollutants, capable of being transported over large distances and altering the radiative properties of the atmosphere, with implications for global climate. Work in recent years has provided new constraints on many aspects of the spatial and temporal distribution of airborne plastics and their physical and optical properties. Using these updated findings, we perform simulations with the HadGEM3-GA7.1 atmospheric model to investigate the sensitivity of the direct radiative effect of airborne microplastics to these factors. Our ERF estimates range from -0.89 to +0.63 mW m-2 assuming an average surface concentration of 1 MP particle per cubic meter. We show that the sign of the radiative forcing depends on the colour of microplastic particles, and that the abundance of nanoplastics has the strongest influence on the magnitude of their radiative effect, emphasising the importance of experimental work to constrain the micro- and nanoplastic size distribution.
How to cite: Goddard, F., Glukhova, S., Le Ru, E., McErlich, C., Hardacre, C., and Revell, L.: Airborne microplastic radiative effects: a sensitivity study, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-1448, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-1448, 2025.
We present an automated tool for long-term sampling of nano and microplastics (NMP) and associated chemicals in remote areas, addressing a critical need for cost-effective, high-temporal-resolution data collection. A major challenge in NMP research is overcoming the financial and time constraints of intensive sampling campaigns.
To address this, we deployed two devices in the Arctic at the Ny-Ålesund research base, focusing on enhancing understanding of polar NMP distribution and transport mechanisms. The auto-sampling system utilises active air sample containers, NanoTank’s, to collect airborne particles through percolation in a liquid trap. Stepper motors, linear actuators, and controllers enable the movement of NanoTanks for automated collection of time-series samples at set intervals.
The first systems were deployed in October 2024, and the collected samples will be analysed by pyrolysis gas chromatography mass spectrometry (pyGC/MS) for nanoplastics, Raman spectroscopy for microplastics, and Liquid Chromatography/Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) for persistent organic pollutant analysis (PFAS focus).
This setup alleviates the need for porous filters that can clog given varied exposure levels. Our system will help to expand the capabilities of atmospheric research and allow us to increase our datasets and understanding of temporal and spatial distributions of NMP.
How to cite: Kelleher, L., Allen, S., Materic, D., Breedveld, G., and Krause, S.: POLARSENSE: Polar Online Airborne Nano and Microplastic Sensing and Environmental Monitoring, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-17574, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-17574, 2025.
Micro(nano)plastics enter the human body mainly through inhalable and oral uptake, and the fraction below 20 μm can penetrate biological membranes, accumulate in tissues, and induce cytotoxicity and inflammation. While inhaled indoor air may be a primary source of exposure, concentrations are potentially higher in occupational settings in the plastic and fiber factories. Here, external exposure to inhalable microplastics <100 µm was studied in four industrial workplaces: two non-woven fabric production factories, and two different plastics recycling facilities located in Finland and Spain. Air samples were collected from the worker breathing zone and stationary measurements during various production tasks. For comparison, urban aerosols were assessed in two urban locations in Finland and in France. Inhalable microplastics in the aerosol samples were analyzed using FTIR (Fourier-transform infrared microscopy) imaging and Raman spectroscopy equipped with automated particle analysis and identification algorithms. In addition, total particle number concentration (PNC, 20 – 700 nm) were measured in parallel. PNC varied between the workplaces and tasks, ranging from 2000 to 50000 #/cm3. Aerosols in the plastic recycling factory predominantly contained PS, ABS, PP, PE and EVA particles at elevated concentration, averaging 2000 #/m3 for the inhalable fraction (<100 µm) and 1500 #/m3 for the thoracic and respirable fraction (<10 µm), based on FTIR imaging and Raman analyses. In non-woven fabric manufacturing facilities, inhalable microplastics were dominated by PET fibers, along with PA, PP and PE particles. The median size of inhalable microplastics ranged from 23 – 40 µm in occupational aerosols. Inhalable microplastics in aerosols from the 4 factories ranked among the highest concentrations reported to date, indicating elevated health risks for exposed workers. These novel findings from the validation of sampling and analytical strategies underscore the significance in reducing airborne microplastic emissions and mitigating inhalation exposure, especially in occupational settings.
How to cite: Peng, G., Mikko Poikkimäki, M., Leppänen, M., Kanerva, T., Materić, D., and Reemtsma, T.: Occupational Exposure to Elevated Levels of Inhalable Microplastics in Plastic and Fiber Factory Workers, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-13643, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-13643, 2025.
Microplastics (< 5 mm diameter) are significant environmental contaminants whose small sizes and low densities facilitate transport by wind. Transport by wind erosion alongside soils or sediments results in mechanical abrasion of the plastic surfaces which can alter their physical and chemical properties. This paper using laboratory simulations to determine the effects of up to 216 hours of aeolian abrasion on polyethylene microplastics by angular, sub-rounded and rounded mineral sediments. During the abrasion process the mineral particles break down producing small fragments which adhere to the microplastic surfaces altering their surface roughness and chemistry. With increasing duration of abrasion the microplastic surface becomes coated with mineral fragments changing the dominant surface element from carbon to oxygen and silicon reflecting the composition of the erodents. The coating develops more rapidly when microplastics are abraded with angular sediments as these produce a lot of small fragments within the first 1-2 hours. However, after > 200 hours of abrasion all the erodents had similar effects. A model of microplastic surface change is presented in which the plastic cracks and fractures, then flattens alongside the increasing density of sediment fragment cover. Surface changes may affect the ability of the plastics to transport airborne contaminants.
How to cite: Alvarez Barrantes, L., Bullard, J. E., Davis, S., McKenna Neuman, C., O’Brien, P., Roach, P., and Zhou, Z.: The effects of sediment properties on the aeolian abrasion and surface characteristics of microplastics, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-1526, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-1526, 2025.
The northeastern steppe landscape of Kazakhstan, with its loess soils, flat terrain, and erosive climate, is highly susceptible to aeolian processes, which can lead to extensive and variable soil mobilisation and deposition. Although agricultural activity has been low in recent decades, the introduction of modern practices has intensified agriculture, potentially leading to greater plastic emissions from irrigation and plant growth and protection systems. Despite extensive global research on microplastics (MP, <5 mm in size) in natural systems, their transport and deposition via aeolian processes, as well as their production and input rates on agricultural land in continental climate zones, have received little attention to date.
In this study, wind-driven MP mobilisation was quantified by on-farm experiments on two sites, with Zhelezinka on Haplic Kastanozem soil, and Shortandy on Haplic Chernozem soil. While both sites are for agricultural use, the management differs in terms of soil tillage, fertilizer input, pest management, and irrigation. A portable boundary layer wind tunnel was applied for five 15-minute tests with a wind speed of 14 m s⁻¹. This accounts for an average wind speed that occurs in this region for an average of six hours per year, representing relatively extreme conditions used to assess the overall potential for wind-driven MP mobilisation at the study sites. Samples were collected using an aluminium wedge trap, covering approximately 1% of the tunnel mouth's area, and were characterised using confocal micro-Raman spectroscopy.
The total results reveal 2.24 g min⁻¹ mobilised soil material at Shortandy and 14.52 g min⁻¹ at Zhelezinka, with MP mobilisation of 0.01 g min⁻¹ (89 MP items) and 0.14 g min⁻¹ (1206 MP items), respectively. The detected MP varied in shape (fragments and fibres) and size, with all detections having diameters smaller than 150 μm. Greater variability in MP types, predominantly fragments (PPSU, PP, PE, PMMA), was observed at Zhelezinka. In contrast, Shortandy showed fewer MP mobilisation, with only one plastic type (PA) identified and a more balanced distribution between fragments and fibres compared to Zhelezinka. The overall fragment-to-fibre ratio is 31:1. The differences in MP mobilisation between the sampling sites can be explained by varying land use durations and intensities. The study highlights that wind erosion can make a significant contribution to the local and regional distribution of MP in the northeastern steppe of Kazakhstan.
How to cite: Utecht, S., Marzen, M., Koza, M., Schütz, T., Schmidt, G., Akshalov, K., Ries, J. B., and Funk, R.: Quantification of wind-driven MP mobilisation potential in semi-arid regions in Kazakhstan using wind tunnel experiments, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-13014, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-13014, 2025.
Microplastics (MPs) are ubiquitous, persistent pollutants that are harmful to human and reported in various environmental compartments like air, water, soil and biota. Owing to its hydrophobicity, MPs can adsorb chemicals like plasticizers, additives and flame retardants that can impart oxidative stress when inhaled. In this study, the MPs concentration in particulate matter (PM) was investigated for Tiruchirappalli, a rapidly growing city in Tamil Nadu. The study focuses on the PM bound MPs in outdoor and indoor environments through the collection of active PM10 samples and atmospheric depositions, respectively. The results showed that PM10 concentration at the monitoring sites were in the range of 28.17±6.4 μg/m3 to 43.67±6.3 μg/m3. The MPs in PM samples were extracted and viewed under Fluorescence microscope using Nile Red staining. The results indicated only a little difference in MP concentration among the monitoring sites (30.27±13.6 particles/m3 at residential area (L1) and 32.69±7.27 particles/m3 at industrial area (L2)). It was noteworthy that majority of MPs identified in PM10 samples were fragments and only a few fibres were noticed. This indicated the prevalence of MPs formed from degradation of plastic debris. The mean size of MPs was estimated to be 2.75 μm, showing the aerodynamic nature of the MPs in smaller sizes. MPs were found to be more prevalent in indoor atmospheric depositions (L1: 666 particles/m2/day; L2:727 particles/m2/day) than outdoor air. This study emphasizes the need for comprehensive understanding of the characteristics and sources of indoor and outdoor MPs so that appropriate mitigation strategies can be formulated.
How to cite: Mohan V, L. and Raja, S.: Airborne microplastics distribution in indoor and outdoor environments of a rapidly growing city in South India , EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-19123, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-19123, 2025.
Posters virtual: Wed, 30 Apr, 14:00–15:45 | vPoster spot 5
EGU25-16376 | ECS | Posters virtual | VPS3
Regional and climatic variations in atmospheric microplastic depositionWed, 30 Apr, 14:00–15:45 (CEST) | vP5.2
The atmosphere is a critical reservoir for and transporter of microplastics (MPs) but little is known about the nature and drivers of their regional and climatic variability. In this study, dry deposition of MPs is quantified simultaneously over a seven-day period in nine Iranian cities encompassing different populations and climates and relationships with meteorological conditions and gaseous and particulate air quality parameters investigated. Overall, deposition ranged from < 5 to > 100 MP m-2 h-1 and was dominated by fibres of various sizes and constructed of different polymers (mainly polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, polystyrene and nylon), and there were clear and significant differences in mean values between the different cities that were not a simple function of climate or population. On a local scale, both positive and negative relationships between MP deposition and various meteorological and air quality parameters were observed among the cities. However, the pooled depositional data for MPs and various shapes and sizes thereof exhibited significant inverse relationships with wind speed and specific measures of airborne particulate matter (e.g., dust, PM-2.5, PM-10). The results suggest that there is a broadly consistent, fibre-dominated regional population of MPs whose deposition (and presumably resuspension) is influenced by variations in wind speed, but additional location-specific factors and sources contribute to temporal variations within the different cities. Despite the relationships between deposition and some gaseous and particulate air quality parameters identified at specific locations, it may be difficult to introduce a sharp parameter that can be used as a regional proxy for MP deposition.
Acknowledgements
We thank Shiraz University and Klaipeda University for technical support. This project has received funding from the Research Council of Lithuania (LMTLT), agreement No. S-PD-24-51.
How to cite: Abbasi, S., Dzingelevičienė, R., and Turner, A.: Regional and climatic variations in atmospheric microplastic deposition, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-16376, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-16376, 2025.
EGU25-7978 | ECS | Posters virtual | VPS3
Atmospheric deposition of anthropogenic microfibers in different indoor environments of Chennai, IndiaWed, 30 Apr, 14:00–15:45 (CEST) | vP5.3
Microplastics, particularly microplastic fibers, are an emerging pollutant of growing concern, frequently detected in the atmosphere. However, recent studies emphasized the predominance of artificial and natural microfibers over microplastic fibers. Despite this, research focusing on all types of microfibers, commonly grouped as anthropogenic microfibers (MFs) remains limited, especially in residential indoor environments. Therefore, this study explored the indoor atmospheric deposition of microfibers, in the residential homes of Chennai, India, marking the first such study in the country. Additionally, workplaces, including offices, laboratories, and hostel rooms, were examined. Bedrooms (16,736±7,263 MFs/m²/day) and student hostels (5,572±2,898 MFs/m²/day) recorded the highest contamination in respective categories, and this could be attributed to the abundance of textile products, such as bedsheets, carpets, quilts, towels, and curtains in the indoors of both the rooms. MFs shorter than 500 µm dominated the samples, comprising 78.8 and 65.9 % of total MFs in residential and workplace categories, respectively. The diameter of MFs ranged from 2.02–23 µm in residential spaces and 2.04–36.4 µm in workplaces, indicating their potential to penetrate human lungs. µ-FTIR analysis revealed the predominance of semi-synthetic MFs (48.2 %), followed by natural (29.3%) and synthetic (22.5 %) MFs, underscoring the need to consider all categories of MFs. Further classification revealed rayon (94.5±6.40 %), cotton (68.1±6.12 %), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) (48.1±11.5 %) as major MFs, indicating textiles as a significant contamination source. The detection of black rubber/latex MFs indicates additional contributions from road dust. Surface morphological analysis, correlations with environmental and meteorological factors, and backward trajectory analysis further highlighted the primary role of indoor/local sources in MFs contamination. Overall, the study emphasizes the need to monitor all categories of MFs and calls for comprehensive investigations into the impact of indoor textile products and road dust on indoor atmospheric contamination in future research.
How to cite: Jessieleena, A., Kambapalli Ezhilan, I., Chandel, A. S., D'sa, S. V., Mohamed, N., and Nambi, I.: Atmospheric deposition of anthropogenic microfibers in different indoor environments of Chennai, India , EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-7978, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-7978, 2025.
