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Airborne Microplastic in the Atmospheric Deposition and How to Identify and Quantify the Threat: Semi-Quantitative Approach Based on Kraków Case Study

Author

Listed:
  • Kinga Jarosz

    (Institute of Geological Sciences, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 3a, 30-387 Kraków, Poland)

  • Rafał Janus

    (Faculty of Energy and Fuels, AGH University of Science and Technology, A. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Krakow, Poland)

  • Mariusz Wądrzyk

    (Faculty of Energy and Fuels, AGH University of Science and Technology, A. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Krakow, Poland)

  • Wanda Wilczyńska-Michalik

    (Institute of Geography, Pedagogical University of Cracow, Podchorążych 2, 33-332 Krakow, Poland)

  • Piotr Natkański

    (Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, ul. Gronostajowa 2, 30-387 Kraków, Poland)

  • Marek Michalik

    (Institute of Geological Sciences, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 3a, 30-387 Kraków, Poland)

Abstract

Airborne microplastic is an emerging and widespread pollutant yet is still under-characterised and insufficiently understood. Detailed description of microplastic air pollution is crucial as it has been identified in human lungs and remote locations, highlighting the atmosphere as a medium of MP dispersion and transportation. The lack of standardization of methods for measuring and further monitoring of microplastic pollution is an obstacle towards assessment of health risks. Since the first recognition of MP presence in the atmosphere of Krakow in 2019, this research was conducted to further characterise and develop the methods for qualitative and quantitative analysis of airborne microplastic (attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR); pyrolysis-gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (Py-GC–MS); scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy SEM-EDS) and pre-treatment of samples. The data were gathered in seven cycles from June 2019 to February 2020. The methods used in the study allowed the identification and analysis of the changing ratio of the different types of synthetic polymers identified in the atmospheric fallout (low-density polyethylene, nylon-66, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene and polyurethane). Observations of interactions between microplastic particles and the environment were conducted with analyses of surface changes due to degradation. Different phases attached to the microplastics surfaces, with some of the inorganic contaminants transported on these surfaces determined also to be of anthropogenic origin. The methodology proposed in this study allows further characterisation of microplastic from multiple locations to provide highly comparable data, leading to identification of the sources of this phenomenon, as well as seasonal changes.

Suggested Citation

  • Kinga Jarosz & Rafał Janus & Mariusz Wądrzyk & Wanda Wilczyńska-Michalik & Piotr Natkański & Marek Michalik, 2022. "Airborne Microplastic in the Atmospheric Deposition and How to Identify and Quantify the Threat: Semi-Quantitative Approach Based on Kraków Case Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-17, September.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:19:p:12252-:d:926583
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. XiaoZhi Lim, 2021. "Microplastics are everywhere — but are they harmful?," Nature, Nature, vol. 593(7857), pages 22-25, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Edith Dube & Grace Emily Okuthe, 2023. "Plastics and Micro/Nano-Plastics (MNPs) in the Environment: Occurrence, Impact, and Toxicity," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(17), pages 1-23, August.

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