Projects per year
Abstract
The emerging threat of atmospheric microplastic pollution has prompted researchers to study areas previously considered beyond the reach of plastic. Investigating the range of atmospheric microplastic transport is key to understanding the global extent of this problem. While atmospheric microplastics have been discovered in the planetary boundary layer, their occurrence in the free troposphere is relatively unexplored. Confronting this is important because their presence in the free troposphere would facilitate transport over greater distances and thus the potential to reach more distal and remote parts of the planet. Here we show evidence of 0.09–0.66 microplastics particles/m3 over 4 summer months from the Pic du Midi Observatory at 2877 meters above sea level. These results exhibit true free tropospheric transport of microplastic, and high altitude microplastic particles <50 µm (aerodynamic diameter). Analysis of air/particle history modelling shows intercontinental and trans-oceanic transport of microplastics illustrating the potential for global aerosol microplastic transport.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 7242 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Nature Communications |
Volume | 12 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 21 Dec 2021 |
Keywords
- atmospheric microplastic pollution
- microplastics particles
- plastic debris
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Dive into the research topics of 'Evidence of free tropospheric and long-range transport of microplastic at Pic du Midi Observatory'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Projects
- 2 Finished
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Where in the world is the Atmospheric Microplastic Pollution? Searching from mountain-top to ocean
Allen, D.
Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland
1/02/20 → 31/12/21
Project: Research
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Looking back for the future through archives of Airborne Microplastic Pollution (Leverhulme ECF)
Allen, D.
2/09/19 → 1/09/22
Project: Research Fellowship