Real-Time Detection of Urban Atmospheric Micro–Nanoplastics and Their Chemical Mixing State Using Bioaerosol Single-Particle Mass Spectrometry

Atmospheric micro-nanoplastics (MNPs) serve as key vectors for the global dispersion of plastic pollutants and act as reactive interfaces for atmospheric species, modifying their physicochemical properties and influencing environmental transport dynamics. However, existing methods lack the temporal resolution and specificity to characterize MNP mixing states and pollutant interactions in real time. To address this gap, we developed an innovative approach employing bioaerosol single-particle mass spectrometry (Bio-SPAMS) for simultaneous detection of polystyrene MNPs (PS MNPs; 0.3-2 μm) and their chemical associations with co-pollutants. Three diagnostic tracer ions, <sup>91</sup>[C<sub>7</sub>H<sub>7</sub><sup>+</sup>], <sup>104</sup>[C<sub>8</sub>H<sub>8</sub><sup>+</sup>], and <sup>115</sup>[C<sub>9</sub>H<sub>7</sub><sup>+</sup>], were identified as unambiguous markers of PS MNPs, enhancing their discrimination from ambient aerosols. Field measurements in a Chinese megacity revealed that PS MNPs constitute 1.04% of total aerosols (<i>n</i> = 51 045 particles), predominantly within the 0.3-0.8 μm size range. Approximately 76.4% of PS MNPs exhibited co-detection of nitrate and sulfate signatures, and in particles with PS characteristics, the relative peak areas of nitrate and sulfate are 14.30 and 4.06%, respectively, demonstrating active atmospheric aging via secondary pollutant uptake. This work established a new methodology for real-time MNP tracking in atmospheric matrices, providing critical insights into their lifecycle and risks.

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Publication Details

Journal
Environmental Science & Technology
Published
2025-09-29
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.5c06513
Citations
2
Primary Topic
Microplastics and Plastic Pollution
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
1.01
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article

Real-Time Detection of Urban Atmospheric Micro–Nanoplastics and Their Chemical Mixing State Using Bioaerosol Single-Particle Mass Spectrometry

Eleonora Aruffo, Chunlei Cheng, Wei Du, Mindong Chen et al.
2 citations
Environmental Science & Technology
Microplastics and Plastic Pollution
1.01
article

Real-Time Detection of Urban Atmospheric Micro–Nanoplastics and Their Chemical Mixing State Using Bioaerosol Single-Particle Mass Spectrometry

Eleonora Aruffo, Chunlei Cheng, Wei Du, Mindong Chen, Mei Li, Haiwei Li, Yiming Qin, Ke Li, Xuan Li, Junfeng Wang, Ning Zhang, Ming Wang, Yuan Dai, Lei Li, Xinlei Ge, Shaoyong Li, Yun Wu, Chongchong Zhang, Yunjiang Zhang
article en
2 citations

Abstract

Atmospheric micro-nanoplastics (MNPs) serve as key vectors for the global dispersion of plastic pollutants and act as reactive interfaces for atmospheric species, modifying their physicochemical properties and influencing environmental transport dynamics. However, existing methods lack the temporal resolution and specificity to characterize MNP mixing states and pollutant interactions in real time. To address this gap, we developed an innovative approach employing bioaerosol single-particle mass spectrometry (Bio-SPAMS) for simultaneous detection of polystyrene MNPs (PS MNPs; 0.3-2 μm) and their chemical associations with co-pollutants. Three diagnostic tracer ions, <sup>91</sup>[C<sub>7</sub>H<sub>7</sub><sup>+</sup>], <sup>104</sup>[C<sub>8</sub>H<sub>8</sub><sup>+</sup>], and <sup>115</sup>[C<sub>9</sub>H<sub>7</sub><sup>+</sup>], were identified as unambiguous markers of PS MNPs, enhancing their discrimination from ambient aerosols. Field measurements in a Chinese megacity revealed that PS MNPs constitute 1.04% of total aerosols (<i>n</i> = 51 045 particles), predominantly within the 0.3-0.8 μm size range. Approximately 76.4% of PS MNPs exhibited co-detection of nitrate and sulfate signatures, and in particles with PS characteristics, the relative peak areas of nitrate and sulfate are 14.30 and 4.06%, respectively, demonstrating active atmospheric aging via secondary pollutant uptake. This work established a new methodology for real-time MNP tracking in atmospheric matrices, providing critical insights into their lifecycle and risks.

Environmental Science & TechnologyVol. 59(40)
Kunming University of Science and Technology (CN), Jinan University (CN), City University of Hong Kong (HK), Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology (CN), University of Chieti-Pescara (IT), Department of the Environment (GB), Zhejiang Environmental Monitoring Center (CN), Guangdong Province Environmental Monitoring Center (CN), Yangzhou Vocational University (CN), Advanced Materials and Technologies (Slovenia) (SI), Yunnan Environmental Protection Bureau (CN), Southeast University (CN), Yangzhou University (CN)
Openalex Percentile: Top 23%
Microplastics and Plastic Pollution
1.01
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
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