Characterization of atmospheric microplastics in Hangzhou, a megacity of the Yangtze river delta, China

Abstract

Microplastics (MPs) have become a key environmental issue over the last few decades. However, while previous studies have mainly focused on aquatic MP pollution, research on atmospheric MPs remains limited. To expand our knowledge of atmospheric MPs, we collected atmospheric samples using active and dry deposition techniques during one year in an urban environment in the megacity of Hangzhou, China. MPs were identified in the samples using a range of analytical and optical techniques. The concentrations of MPs on the filters collected using active sampling ranged from 0.37–8.9 particles per m³, with an annual mean of 3.2 ± 0.5 particles per m³. The dry deposition rate of atmospheric MPs ranged from 441.18–3181.8 particles per m² per day, with an annual mean of 1387.8 ± 237.7 particles per m² per day. Fiber MPs were the most predominant type while a few film-type MPs were identified. Raman microspectrometer analysis identified that tires (27.0% of MPs) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET, 19.7% of MPs) were the dominant MP types. Finally, we estimated that the annual dry deposition rate of MPs in the Hangzhou urban area was 16.9 ± 2.9 tons. Exploring the abundance and deposition of MPs helps to evaluate their potential threat to human health or aquatic ecology, which finally contributes to development of MP control measures.