Work

Shielded collectors improve the capture of atmospheric microplastic deposition

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: /day in unshielded collectors, underscoring the potential influence of wind on catch efficiency. Further, dry deposition dominated over wet, representing up to 60 ± 19% of bulk deposition in the shielded collector at one of our study sites. These results suggest that collector design may have a substantial effect on deposition estimates, which could have implications for estimates of microplastic budgets, retention in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, and our ability to constrain the atmospheric limb of the plastic cycle. These results not only highlight the need to harmonize atmospheric sampling methods but also the need to standardize the use of shielded collectors.

Source: Journal of Hazardous Materials

DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2026.142187

Authors: Brittany Welsh, Andrew M. Paterson, Huaxia Yao, Julian Aherne

Institutions: Trent University, Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks

Language: English

Topic: Microplastics and Plastic Pollution

Subfield: Pollution

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Responsible consumption and production, Climate action

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,340