Transport and deposition of ocean-sourced microplastic particles by a North Atlantic hurricane

Abstract The atmosphere can transport large quantities of microplastics and disperse them throughout the globe to locations inaccessible by many other transport mechanisms. Meteorological events have been proven to pick up and transport particulate matter, however, how they influence the transport a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Communications Earth & Environment
Main Authors: Anna C. Ryan, Deonie Allen, Steve Allen, Vittorio Maselli, Amber LeBlanc, Liam Kelleher, Stefan Krause, Tony R. Walker, Mark Cohen
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2023
Subjects:
Geology
QE1-996.5
Environmental sciences
GE1-350
Canada
Storm Peak
Newfoundland
North Atlantic
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-023-01115-7
https://doaj.org/article/b606af20de4e4d18beda75eb9a6f4d33
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Summary:Abstract The atmosphere can transport large quantities of microplastics and disperse them throughout the globe to locations inaccessible by many other transport mechanisms. Meteorological events have been proven to pick up and transport particulate matter, however, how they influence the transport and deposition of atmospheric microplastics is still poorly understood. Here we present samples of atmospheric fallout collected during Hurricane Larry as it passed over Newfoundland, Canada in September 2021. During the storm peak, 1.13 × 105 particles m−2 day−1 were deposited, with a decline in deposition after the storm passed. Back-trajectory modelling and polymer type analysis indicate that those microplastics may have been ocean-sourced as the hurricane traversed the garbage patch of the North Atlantic Gyre. This study identifies the influence of North Atlantic hurricanes on the atmospheric transport and deposition of ocean-sourced microplastics and the possible consequences of increased exposure to microplastics in remote areas.

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