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Occurrence and backtracking of microplastic mass loads including tire wear particles in northern Atlantic air

Author

Listed:
  • Isabel Goßmann

    (Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg
    Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg)

  • Dorte Herzke

    (The FRAM Centre
    NIPH – Norwegian Institute for Public Health)

  • Andreas Held

    (Technische Universität Berlin)

  • Janina Schulz

    (Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg)

  • Vladimir Nikiforov

    (The FRAM Centre)

  • Christoph Georgi

    (Technische Universität Berlin)

  • Nikolaos Evangeliou

    (NILU - Norwegian Institute for Air Research)

  • Sabine Eckhardt

    (NILU - Norwegian Institute for Air Research)

  • Gunnar Gerdts

    (Helmholtz Center for Polar and Marine Research)

  • Oliver Wurl

    (Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg
    Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg)

  • Barbara M. Scholz-Böttcher

    (Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg)

Abstract

Few studies report the occurrence of microplastics (MP), including tire wear particles (TWP) in the marine atmosphere, and little data is available regarding their size or sources. Here we present active air sampling devices (low- and high-volume samplers) for the evaluation of composition and MP mass loads in the marine atmosphere. Air was sampled during a research cruise along the Norwegian coast up to Bear Island. Samples were analyzed with pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, generating a mass-based data set for MP in the marine atmosphere. Here we show the ubiquity of MP, even in remote Arctic areas with concentrations up to 37.5 ng m−3. Cluster of polyethylene terephthalate (max. 1.5 ng m−3) were universally present. TWP (max. 35 ng m−3) and cluster of polystyrene, polypropylene, and polyurethane (max. 1.1 ng m−3) were also detected. Atmospheric transport and dispersion models, suggested the introduction of MP into the marine atmosphere equally from sea- and land-based emissions, transforming the ocean from a sink into a source for MP.

Suggested Citation

  • Isabel Goßmann & Dorte Herzke & Andreas Held & Janina Schulz & Vladimir Nikiforov & Christoph Georgi & Nikolaos Evangeliou & Sabine Eckhardt & Gunnar Gerdts & Oliver Wurl & Barbara M. Scholz-Böttcher, 2023. "Occurrence and backtracking of microplastic mass loads including tire wear particles in northern Atlantic air," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-9, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:14:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-023-39340-5
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39340-5
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    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.
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