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On the nature and sources of microplastics (MPs) and microrubbers (MRs) in urban snow.

Authors :
Ranjdoost F
Abbasi S
Asadi-Ghalhari M
Baghani AN
Fouladi-Fard R
Sorooshian A
Ghaffari ME
Source :
Journal of environmental management [J Environ Manage] 2024 Oct 11; Vol. 370, pp. 122851. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Oct 11.
Publication Year :
2024
Publisher :
Ahead of Print

Abstract

This work reports a characterization of microplastics (MPs) and microrubbers (MRs) such as color, size, shape, and the chemical composition in snowfall in central Iran (Qom) at five sites. Identification of MPs and MRs involved using a stereo microscope to evaluate physical characteristics such as thickness, shininess, hardness, and reaction to a hot needle. HYSPLIT trajectory and end-member microplastic (PM) mixing models are used to determine the contribution of local and remote sources to MPs. The mean (±SD) abundance of MPs and MRs is 23.8 ± 15.87 (MP/L) and 1.26 ± 1.16 (MR/L), respectively, whereas the mean (±SD) abundance of MPs and MRs is 30.7 ± 19.36 (MP/m <superscript>2</superscript> ) and 1.58 ± 1.39 (MR/m <superscript>2</superscript> ), respectively. The frequency of MP colors in order are: black (63.8%) > red (12.8%) > blue (11 %) > white (9.1%) > green (2.1%) > yellow (1.3%). About 71.6% and 3.6% of the identified MPs are 250-500 μm and >1000 μm, respectively. Snow samples contain different identified polymers such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), nylon, viscose, polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Analysis reveals that 90% of Qom city's snowy day winds come from local sources. The high MP levels in are due to human activities from local origins according to end-member MP mixing model. Further study is needed to understand the potential impacts of MPs and MRs on ecosystems and human health.<br />Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.<br /> (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1095-8630
Volume :
370
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Journal of environmental management
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
39405842
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.122851