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Atmospheric Micro and Nanoplastics: An Enormous Microscopic Problem

Author

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  • Angelica Bianco

    (Institute for Atmospheric and Earth System Research/Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Helsinki, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland)

  • Monica Passananti

    (Institute for Atmospheric and Earth System Research/Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Helsinki, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
    Dipartimento di Chimica, Università di Torino, Via Pietro Giuria 5, 10125 Torino, Italy)

Abstract

Atmospheric plastic pollution is now a global problem. Microplastics (MP) have been detected in urban atmospheres as well as in remote and pristine environments, showing that suspension, deposition and aeolian transport of MP should be included and considered as a major transport pathway in the plastic life cycle. This work reports an up to date review of the experimental estimation of deposition rate of MP in rural and urban environment, also analyzing the correlation with meteorological factors. Due to the limitations in sampling and instrumental methodology, little is known about MP and nanoplastics (NP) with sizes lower than 50 µm. In this review, we describe how NP could be transported for longer distances than MP, making them globally present and potentially more concentrated than MP. We highlight that it is crucial to explore new methodologies to collect and analyze NP. Future research should focus on the development of new technologies, combining the existent knowledge on nanomaterial and atmospheric particle analysis.

Suggested Citation

  • Angelica Bianco & Monica Passananti, 2020. "Atmospheric Micro and Nanoplastics: An Enormous Microscopic Problem," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(18), pages 1-17, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:18:p:7327-:d:409996
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. N. Evangeliou & H. Grythe & Z. Klimont & C. Heyes & S. Eckhardt & S. Lopez-Aparicio & A. Stohl, 2020. "Atmospheric transport is a major pathway of microplastics to remote regions," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-11, December.
    2. Ilka Peeken & Sebastian Primpke & Birte Beyer & Julia Gütermann & Christian Katlein & Thomas Krumpen & Melanie Bergmann & Laura Hehemann & Gunnar Gerdts, 2018. "Arctic sea ice is an important temporal sink and means of transport for microplastic," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 9(1), pages 1-12, December.
    3. Amanda L. Dawson & So Kawaguchi & Catherine K. King & Kathy A. Townsend & Robert King & Wilhelmina M. Huston & Susan M. Bengtson Nash, 2018. "Turning microplastics into nanoplastics through digestive fragmentation by Antarctic krill," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 9(1), pages 1-8, December.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Žaneta Stasiškienė & Jelena Barbir & Lina Draudvilienė & Zhi Kai Chong & Kerstin Kuchta & Viktoria Voronova & Walter Leal Filho, 2022. "Challenges and Strategies for Bio-Based and Biodegradable Plastic Waste Management in Europe," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-17, December.
    3. Jolanta Dąbrowska & Marcin Sobota & Małgorzata Świąder & Paweł Borowski & Andrzej Moryl & Radosław Stodolak & Ewa Kucharczak & Zofia Zięba & Jan K. Kazak, 2021. "Marine Waste—Sources, Fate, Risks, Challenges and Research Needs," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(2), pages 1-17, January.
    4. Hlynur Stefánsson & Mark Peternell & Matthias Konrad-Schmolke & Hrafnhildur Hannesdóttir & Einar Jón Ásbjörnsson & Erik Sturkell, 2021. "Microplastics in Glaciers: First Results from the Vatnajökull Ice Cap," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-11, April.

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