Sandstorms contribute to the atmospheric microplastic pollution: Transport and accumulation from degraded lands to a...

Surface dust from degraded lands is a major global aerosol source, mobilized by meteorological events like sandstorms. Microplastics (MPs) in dust can be enriched in the atmosphere and transported over long distances to sensitive regions during sandstorms. This study was conducted in a megacity frequently impacted by sandstorms in spring, exploring the influx, characteristics, enrichment mechanism, and transport pathway of sandstorm-derived MPs. The deposition rate of these MPs reached 1823.65 ± 892.53 items·m^-2·d^-1, predominantly consisting of low-density polymers and those mainly used in synthetic fiber, with an average size of 60.75 µm. Compared to MPs in annual atmospheric deposition, these MPs were smaller and contained a higher proportion of potentially harmful polymers. These factors could increase exposure risks for residents from sandstorm-derived MPs, along with distinct meteorological and ecological effects. Backward trajectory analysis suggested the observed sandstorms originated from the Mongolian Plateau, over 1000 km away. Comparisons of MPs from surface-collected dust on the Mongolian Plateau with sandstorms-delivered MPs revealed the transport was determined by MP shape, size, and density. This study highlights the critical role of sandstorms in the MP atmospheric cycling, emphasizing the extensive impacts of MPs and the need for coordinated mitigation efforts across regions.