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Quantification and characterization of airborne microplastics in the coastal area of Terengganu, Malaysia.

Authors :
Chenappan, Naresh Kumar
Ibrahim, Yusof Shuaib
Anuar, Sabiqah Tuan
Yusof, Ku Mohd Kalkausar Ku
Jaafar, Maisarah
Ahamad, Fatimah
Sulaiman, Wan Zuriana Wan
Mohamad, Noorlin
Source :
Environmental Monitoring & Assessment; Mar2024, Vol. 196 Issue 3, p1-15, 15p
Publication Year :
2024

Abstract

Microplastics (MPs) pose a threat to ecosystems due to their capacity to bind with toxic chemicals. While the occurrence of MPs in aquatic environmental matrices like water, sediments, and biota is well studied, their presence in the atmosphere remains less understood. This study aimed to determine the presence of airborne MPs and their characteristics through ground-based sampling in the coastal city of Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia. Airborne MP samples were collected using passive sampling technique in December 2019. MPs were manually counted and identified using a stereomicroscope based on their colour and shape. The average deposition rate of airborne MPs during the sampling period was 5476 ± 3796 particles/m<superscript>2</superscript>/day, ranging from 576 to 15,562 particles/m<superscript>2</superscript>/day. Various colours such as transparent (38%), blue (25%), black (20%), red (13%), and others (4%) were observed. The predominant shape of airborne MPs was fibres (> 99%). The morphology structure of MPs observed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) showed a cracked surface on MPs, suggesting weathering and irregular fragmentation. Further elemental analysis using energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) showed the presence of heavy metals such as aluminium (Al) and cadmium (Cd) on the surface of MPs, attributed to the adsorption capacities of MPs. Polymer types of airborne MPs were analysed using attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), which revealed particles composed of polyester (PES), polyethylene (PE), and polypropylene (PP). The preliminary findings could provide additional information for further investigations of MPs, especially in the atmosphere, to better understand their sources and potential human exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
01676369
Volume :
196
Issue :
3
Database :
Complementary Index
Journal :
Environmental Monitoring & Assessment
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
176082707
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-024-12381-z