Vertical distribution and transport of microplastics in the urban atmosphere: New insights from field observations

The distribution and transport of atmospheric microplastics (AMPs) have raised concerns regarding their potential ef-fects on the environment and human health. Although previous studies have reported the presence of AMPs at ground level, there is a lack of comprehensive understanding of their vertical distribution in urban environments. To gain in-sight into the vertical profile of AMPs, field observations were conducted at four different heights (ground level, 118 m, 168 m and 488 m) of the Canton Tower in Guangzhou, China. Results showed that the profiles of AMPs and other air pollutants had similar layer distribution patterns, although their concentrations differed. The majority of AMPs were composed of polyethylene terephthalate and rayon fibers ranging from 30 to 50 & mu;m. As a result of atmo-spheric thermodynamics, AMPs generated at ground level were only partially transported upward, leading to a de-crease in their abundance with increasing altitude. The study found that the stable atmospheric stability and lower wind speed between 118 m and 168 m resulted in the formation of a fine layer where AMPs tended to accumulate in-stead of being transported upward. This study for the first time delineated the vertical profile of AMPs within the at-mospheric boundary layer, providing valuable data for understanding the environmental fate of AMPs.

Automated summary

This study conducted field observations at the Canton Tower in Guangzhou, China to investigate the vertical distribution of atmospheric microplastics (AMPs). It found that the distribution of AMPs followed similar layer patterns as other air pollutants, but with different concentrations. The majority of AMPs consisted of polyethylene terephthalate and rayon fibers, and their abundance decreased with increasing altitude due to atmospheric thermodynamics and wind speed. This study provided valuable data for understanding the environmental fate of AMPs.