Microplastics in the atmospheric compartment: a comprehensive review on methods, results on their occurrence and determining factors
type: Article
item type: journalArticle
is part of: Current Opinion in Food Science
authors: Person
  surname: Beaurepaire
  given name: Max
authors: Person
  surname: Dris
  given name: Rachid
authors: Person
  surname: Gasperi
  given name: Johnny
authors: Person
  surname: Tassin
  given name: Bruno
abstract: While microplastics (MPs) have been studied since the beginning of the century, their occurrence in the atmospheric compartment was only described recently. Based on 33 published papers, this work reviews the literature on microplastic pollution in the air and in atmospheric deposition. Methodologies are examined and compared, along with main results. Currently, the atmospheric compartment is sampled by an array of methods that target either atmospheric deposition or suspended particles in the air. Concentrations vary greatly between studies, due to differences in methodologies and types of targeted samples. The review concludes that while MP presence is confirmed in the atmospheric compartment, knowledge remains very limited at all levels. More work is required to determine factors affecting atmospheric MP concentrations and deposition, although precipitations and human presence are suspected. MPs are transported over long distances in the atmosphere. However, numerical models of this transport and definite assessment of sources are lacking.
date: 2021-10-01
pages: 159-168
date submitted: 2022-11-23 14:30:54
short title: Microplastics in the atmospheric compartment
language: en
library catalog: ScienceDirect

Current Opinion in Food Science
type: Journal
volume: 41
alternative: Current Opinion in Food Science
identifier: DOI 10.1016/j.cofs.2021.04.010
identifier: ISSN 2214-7993