Wind erosion as a driver for transport of light density microplastics

Abstract

Microplastic pollution in the environment is a growing concern in today's world. Wind-eroded sediment, as an environmental transport pathway of microplastics, can result in environmental and human exposure far beyond its sources. For the first time, this study investigates the presence of microplastics in wind-eroded sediments from different land uses in the Fars Province, Iran. Eleven test plots were selected based on land use and wind erosion risk. On each plot, wind erosion was simulated using a portable wind tunnel and the eroded sediment was collected for further analysis aimed at measuring light density microplastics (LDMP). The LDMPs were extracted in both soil and wind-eroded sediment using a floatation method and then further examined using microscopy. Annual LDMP transport by wind erosion was estimated using wind data from the study areas. LDMPs were detected in six study areas in the Fars Province which are highly prone to wind erosion. Although LDMPs were found mostly in agricultural land, it was also detected in the soils and sediments from two natural areas. The total

Environmental Degradation of Plastic Composites with Natural Fillers—A Review

“…It was estimated that~6.2 Mt macroplastics and~3.0 Mt microplastics were lost in the environment in 2015 [99]. Due to their very small size (below 5 mm) and low density, microplastics are easily transported over very long distances by wind and water [100][101][102], becoming pervasive in various environments, from urban zones [103] to protected natural areas [104]. Microplastics generate pollution in agroecosystems [105], affect living species, including humans, by ingestion or inhalation [106], the ecotoxicity and environmental impact being strongly related to their physical and chemical characteristics [107], and can act as vector for potentially pathogenic bacteria [108] and for toxic trace-element uptake by aquatic and terrestrial organisms [109].…”

Atmospheric Micro and Nanoplastics: An Enormous Microscopic Problem

“…Atmospheric dynamics include suspension, transport and deposition of MP and NP. The main sources are urban, industrial and agricultural activities [21,22,36,37] and traffic [38][39][40], while secondary sources, like erosion of contaminated soils [41] and suspension of MP from the ocean during bubble bursting [42], should also be taken into account. Figure 1 reports the main sources and transport pathways of MP and NP.…”

Synthetic microfiber emissions to land rival those to waterbodies and are growing

“…Synthetic microfiber contamination in terrestrial environments is an emerging topic and further research is required to understand the implications. Furthermore, the microfibers initially emitted to terrestrial environments have the potential to eventually enter other compartments, including waterbodies and biota, through runoff, resuspension, or convection over a long period of time [ 76 , 77 ]. Little is known as to the transport and fate of microfibers emitted to the environment [ 76 – 79 ].…”