An important source of terrestrial microplastics-atmospheric deposition: A microplastics survey based on Shaanxi, China

Abstract

Recently, more and more studies have shown that the air may be an important source of microplastics (MPs) in the environment. But there is still a lack of research on MPs in the atmosphere. Here, we obtained the results of MPs concentration in atmospheric deposition in Shaanxi Province. Sampling was carried out for 6 months in 10 cities in Shaanxi Province and three different functional areas in Xi'an City. The results show that the MPs exist widely in the air of Shaanxi Province. The lowest MPs concentration of MPs was observed in Tongchuan (TC) and the highest in Xi'an (XA). Factors affecting the distribution of MPs in the atmosphere may include climate and urban population. Spectral analysis revealed that these MPs consisted of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyacrylonitrile (PAN), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). PET, PAN, PE, and PP constituted the majority (90%) of the detected polymer types. The current research aims to contribute to the limited existing knowledge by examining the presence of MPs in all (wet and dry) atmospheric deposition in the urban environment of Shaanxi Province. The quantity, size, shape, and polymer type are evaluated, thereby improving our understanding of the characteristics of MPs deposition in urban environments.