What question did this study set out to answer?

To resolve discrepancies in atmospheric microplastic estimates by comparing observational datasets with size-aligned atmospheric model simulations across land and ocean sources.

January 24, 2026NatureOpen Access

Atmospheric microplastic emissions from land and ocean

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Authors

IEIoanna EvangelouUniversity of Vienna SBSilvia BucciUniversity of Vienna ASAndreas StohlUniversity of Vienna

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Implication

Modeling study reveals global atmospheric microplastic emissions are lower than previously estimated, suggesting terrestrial sources dominate airborne counts.

Key Points

To resolve discrepancies in atmospheric microplastic estimates by comparing observational datasets with size-aligned atmospheric model simulations across land and ocean sources.
Compiled a global atmospheric microplastics dataset from existing observational studies over land and ocean regions.
Evaluated observational data against size-aligned microplastic atmospheric transport model simulations.
Applied a scaling method to calculate total annual land-based and oceanic particle emission numbers.
Model simulations overestimated measured global median atmospheric microplastic concentrations by two to four orders of magnitude.
Measured median microplastic concentrations over oceans were 27 times lower than over land (0.003 vs. 0.08 particles m⁻³).
Estimated total annual global emissions were 6.1 × 10¹⁷ particles (range: 1.3 × 10¹⁷ to 1.1 × 10¹⁸) from land and 2.6 × 10¹⁶ particles (range: 2.7 × 10¹⁵ to 5.0 × 10¹⁶) from oceans.

Cite This Study

Evangelou et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69756537d5e0d64addde6f8a https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-025-09998-6

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Implication

Modeling study reveals global atmospheric microplastic emissions are lower than previously estimated, suggesting terrestrial sources dominate airborne counts.

Atmospheric microplastic emissions from land and ocean

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

Atmospheric microplastic emissions from land and ocean

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

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