Microplastics in snow from protected areas in Hokkaido, the northern island of Japan
Abstract Snowfall is regarded as a carrier of airborne microplastics (MPs). Deposited snow can function as a temporary reservoir for atmospheric MPs. Nevertheless, knowledge and understanding of MPs in snow remain sparse. This study investigates the abundance, composition, size (> 30 µm), and sha...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2023-06-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-37049-5 |
| _version_ | 1797795787966513152 |
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| author | Hiroshi Ohno Yoshinori Iizuka |
| author_facet | Hiroshi Ohno Yoshinori Iizuka |
| author_sort | Hiroshi Ohno |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Snowfall is regarded as a carrier of airborne microplastics (MPs). Deposited snow can function as a temporary reservoir for atmospheric MPs. Nevertheless, knowledge and understanding of MPs in snow remain sparse. This study investigates the abundance, composition, size (> 30 µm), and shape of MPs in snow specimens from various nature preservation areas and also from urban sites in Hokkaido. Various polymeric-type MPs with mostly fragmentary shapes were detected among the specimens. More than half of MPs were in the smallest size class (30–60 µm), implying the presence of more MPs below the limit (< 30 µm). Concentrations of MPs ranged from 1.5 × 102 to 4.2 × 103 particles/L. The results demonstrated that microplastic abundance generally decreases concomitantly with increasing remoteness of sampling sites. Observed features of MPs at different locations and their relation to geographical settings have indicated that the ubiquitously observed fine particles (mainly alkyd, ethylene–vinyl acetate, and polyethylene) are attributable to long-distance atmospheric transportation, whereas the rubber and larger particles especially found near highways and cities are from local sources of plastic. Taken together, these findings suggest important implications for elucidating the nature and distribution of atmospheric MPs. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-13T03:23:18Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-8e7cab1ece5942ddb077db71404b3b51 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-13T03:23:18Z |
| publishDate | 2023-06-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj.art-8e7cab1ece5942ddb077db71404b3b512023-06-25T11:13:19ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222023-06-011311910.1038/s41598-023-37049-5Microplastics in snow from protected areas in Hokkaido, the northern island of JapanHiroshi Ohno0Yoshinori Iizuka1Kitami Institute of TechnologyInstitute of Low Temperature Science, Hokkaido UniversityAbstract Snowfall is regarded as a carrier of airborne microplastics (MPs). Deposited snow can function as a temporary reservoir for atmospheric MPs. Nevertheless, knowledge and understanding of MPs in snow remain sparse. This study investigates the abundance, composition, size (> 30 µm), and shape of MPs in snow specimens from various nature preservation areas and also from urban sites in Hokkaido. Various polymeric-type MPs with mostly fragmentary shapes were detected among the specimens. More than half of MPs were in the smallest size class (30–60 µm), implying the presence of more MPs below the limit (< 30 µm). Concentrations of MPs ranged from 1.5 × 102 to 4.2 × 103 particles/L. The results demonstrated that microplastic abundance generally decreases concomitantly with increasing remoteness of sampling sites. Observed features of MPs at different locations and their relation to geographical settings have indicated that the ubiquitously observed fine particles (mainly alkyd, ethylene–vinyl acetate, and polyethylene) are attributable to long-distance atmospheric transportation, whereas the rubber and larger particles especially found near highways and cities are from local sources of plastic. Taken together, these findings suggest important implications for elucidating the nature and distribution of atmospheric MPs.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-37049-5 |
| spellingShingle | Hiroshi Ohno Yoshinori Iizuka Microplastics in snow from protected areas in Hokkaido, the northern island of Japan Scientific Reports |
| title | Microplastics in snow from protected areas in Hokkaido, the northern island of Japan |
| title_full | Microplastics in snow from protected areas in Hokkaido, the northern island of Japan |
| title_fullStr | Microplastics in snow from protected areas in Hokkaido, the northern island of Japan |
| title_full_unstemmed | Microplastics in snow from protected areas in Hokkaido, the northern island of Japan |
| title_short | Microplastics in snow from protected areas in Hokkaido, the northern island of Japan |
| title_sort | microplastics in snow from protected areas in hokkaido the northern island of japan |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-37049-5 |
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