Atmospheric transport of microplastics during a dust storm

Effect of Dry Soil Aggregate Size on Microplastic Distribution and Its Implications for Microplastic Emissions Induced by Wind Erosion

“…As shown in Figure , the enrichment ratios of fibers and nonfibers in wind-blown sand and dust were proportional to the average wind speed. Dispersed MPs within surface bulk soils are more easily eroded, and higher wind speeds can enhance the ability of the wind o detach MPs from surface soils. ,, Therefore, MPs emitted from dry farmlands (MP sources) can be transported to remote downwind areas (MP sinks). , Accordingly, the relationship between the wind speed and the MP deposition flux has been studied. , …”

“…These results provided valuable information for improving our understanding of the entrainment, transport, and deposition of MPs by wind erosion. Field-scale MP emission experiments are the cornerstone for diffusion route modeling , and quantitative MP emission evaluations at a regional scale. , Therefore, it is critical to perform sophisticated experiments to examine the relationship between the primary factors (wind speed, soil aggregates, and MP characteristics) and MP enrichment in wind-blown sediments in different locations with various geographic conditions. It is also necessary to develop a unified, efficient, and stable protocol that includes wind erosion monitoring and MP extraction from soils and airborne sediments.…”

“…Recently, wind tunnel experiments were conducted to explore the characteristics of MPs in wind-blown sediments in different environments. , Field studies have been performed to investigate how MPs are enriched in wind-blown sand and dust. ,, The possible dispersive routes of wind-driven atmospheric MPs were also evaluated using a forward (backward) trajectory model (the HYSPLIT model). , Fundamentally, MP translocation by wind erosion is affected by processes such as advection, dispersion, diffusion, degradation, settling, adsorption, and aggregation. ,, These studies have suggested that developing a framework for modeling MP transport by wind erosion at different locations based on local conditions is critical …”

Microplastic Contamination in Urban, Farmland and Desert Environments along a Highway in Southern Xinjiang, China

“…Similarly, the MP abundance levels were affected by a variety of natural factors (e.g., temperature and sunlight) [ 37 ], as well as their own physicochemical properties (e.g., size and density) [ 38 ]. Due to the dry climate, long illumination time and strong ultraviolet rays in the desert region, many lightweight plastic products (such as plastic woven bags and sand barriers) rapidly age and constantly decompose under the wind–sand action, leading to the much higher abundance of MPs along the desert highway than in urban and rural areas [ 39 ]. After traveling long distances and due to atmospheric sedimentation, these MPs may finally enter urban areas, farmland and other areas of human activities and can pose a threat to human living environments and health.…”

Buoyancy and Brownian motion of plastics in aqueous media: predictions and implications for density separation and aerosol internal mixing state

“…21,28,30 Atmospheric plastics are commonly collected as filter samples, 16,19,21,28,31 as fallout in jars, 32 and have been collected from the surface of freshly fallen snow 18 as well as from car surfaces following dust storms. 33 After characterization these methods are capable of determining if plastics are present, but their mixing state cannot be obtained. Aerosol, and atmospheric nano-and microplastics may exist in external mixtures or become internally mixed in the same droplet.…”