The four Seasons of Micro- and Nanoplastic in the Air

Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) are contaminants of emerging concern. With current research focusing mostly on their detection in the aquatic and terrestrial environment, atmospheric MNPs remain underrepresented. Recent studies confirm, that not only ingestion but also inhalation can be seen as a major exposure pathway, increasing exposure risks for humans and all air-breathing organisms.¹ Moreover, the particle's ability to reach even remote areas through long-range atmospheric transport increases their threat as an environmental pollutant.^2–4 Still, studies focusing on long-term monitoring of MNPs are scarce and their impact in the atmosphere is still poorly investigated.^5,6

For this study, we sampled airborne MNPs using a PM₁₀ Cascade Impactor over the course of 52 continuous weeks, separating our collected particles into four size-dependent fractions. Samples were subsequently analyzed using a high-resolution analytical method: TD-PTR-MS. Through qualitative and semi-quantitative analysis of even sub 1 µm particles, we successfully detected six common polymer types (PE, PP, PS, PVC, PET, TWP). By implementing this yearlong monitoring station at Sonnblick Observatory in the Austrian Alps, we were able to collect a significant dataset of MNPs pollution levels in the remote alpine region. We established current contamination levels in the atmosphere, while also being able to research the influence of seasonality including other meteorological parameters in more detail.

This study aims to present robust evidence of current contamination levels, possibly supporting ongoing policy dialogues and informing evidence-based decision-making.

References

[1] Rajendran, D. & Chandrasekaran, N. Journey of micronanoplastics with blood components. RSC Adv. 13, 31435–31459; 10.1039/D3RA05620A (2023).

[2] Illuminati, S. et al. Microplastics in bulk atmospheric deposition along the coastal region of Victoria Land, Antarctica. Sci. Total Environ. 949, 175221; 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.175221 (2024).

[3] Rosso, B. et al. Characteristics and quantification of small microplastics (<100 µm) in seasonal svalbard snow on glaciers and lands. J. Hazard. Mater. 467, 133723; 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.133723 (2024).

[4] Jurkschat, L. et al. Using a citizen science approach to assess nanoplastics pollution in remote high-altitude glaciers. Sci Rep 15, 1864; 10.1038/s41598-024-84210-9 (2025).

[5] Pradel, A., Catrouillet, C. & Gigault, J. The environmental fate of nanoplastics: What we know and what we need to know about aggregation. NanoImpact 29, 100453; 10.1016/j.impact.2023.100453 (2023).

[6] Kaushik, A., Peter, A. E., van Pinxteren, M., Scholz-Böttcher, B. M. & Herrmann, H. Composition, interactions and resulting inhalation risk of micro- and nano-plastics in urban air. Commun. Earth Environ. 6; 10.1038/s43247-025-02980-0 (2025).