EnviroPlaNet Project: A systematic monitoring of atmospheric deposition of microplastics in Spain

Plastic pollution is a global concern. The world's production continues to increase yearly, reaching more than 367 million tons in 2020 [1]. Part of these plastics are directly manufactured as microplastics (MPs) while another fraction becomes MPs as a result of the degradation processes of larger plastics into microsized particles. In this context, MPs have already been found in the hydrosphere, biosphere, cryosphere, lithosphere and, recently, atmosphere. However, the presence of MPs in the atmosphere has been poorly studied. The objective of this work was the systematic monitoring of the deposition of MPs in areas of Spain with different characteristics (population, economic activities, and climate) using a common method for sampling, quantification, and identification during the four seasons of a one-year sampling campaign with the purpose of clarifying the role of the atmosphere in the fate and dispersion of MPs. This was possible thanks to the collaboration of several Spanish research groups in the project Thematic Network of Micro- and Nanoplastics in the Environment