Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 14, 2026

Separation and Identification of Conventional Microplastics from Farmland Soils
Published on: March 21, 2025
Geometrically-driven selective transport of microplastics across atmosphere-land
Shuangqi Wu1, Mengrong Bao1, Weicong Wang1
1Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China.
None:
Atmospheric circulation contributes critically to the transport of microplastics (MPs). However, our limited knowledge regarding the geometric characteristics of deposited MPs hinders the accurate assessment of associated environmental risks. This study explores how the geometrical characteristics influence MPs' selective atmospheric transport and deposition in Shanghai, which highlights MP geometric characteristics as a crucial indicator for understanding atmospheric-terrestrial transport mechanisms. High-density deposited MPs exhibited heterogeneous geometric characteristics, and low-density MPs showed partially homogenized characteristics. Meteorological parameters correlate more significantly with geometric characteristics than with deposition flux in our research. Precipitation significantly promotes deposited MPs characterized by high solidity, high circularity, and low density. Moreover, increased wind speeds driven by atmospheric pressure gradients significantly heightened the deposition of MPs with high solidity. Typhoon events enhance MP deposition by promoting the resuspension of terrestrial MPs and the release of MPs from damaged urban infrastructure. Potential source contribution function (PSCF) analysis indicates that both local and remote transport pathways contribute to MP deposition in Shanghai. These results provide critical insights for refining MP transport models by incorporating geometric features, elucidating the environmental fate of MP, and supporting the development of targeted strategies to mitigate human exposure risks.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Short-distance Transport of Resources
Cellular Membranes and Drug Transport
Phospholipids arrange themselves into a bilayer, with hydrophilic heads oriented outward and hydrophobic tails facing inward.
What are Biogeochemical Cycles?
Environmental Applications of Microorganisms
Physical Methods for Controlling Microbial Growth: Radiation and Filtration

