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This research examines how different collector designs affect the capture of atmospheric microplastic deposition.

April 25, 2026Open Access

Shielded collectors improve the capture of atmospheric microplastic deposition

Key Points

This research examines how different collector designs affect the capture of atmospheric microplastic deposition.
Used shielded and unshielded collectors to measure microplastic deposition rates.
Conducted statistical analysis (Kruskal-Wallis) to compare capture efficiencies.
Monitored both dry and wet deposition across multiple sites.
Shielded collectors captured >3 times more microplastic deposition than unshielded collectors (p<0.05).
Median daily microplastic deposition rates were 20–28 mp/m2/day in shielded vs. 6–11 mp/m2/day in unshielded.
Dry deposition comprised 60 ± 19% of bulk deposition in shielded collectors.

Abstract

Atmospheric microplastic deposition is widely measured using unshielded bulk precipitation or wet-only collectors; however, depending on their design, these collectors may be prone to significant undercatch due to wind-induced resuspension and aerodynamic turbulence. Here we show that shielded collectors captured significantly higher microplastic (mp) deposition (>3 times) than unshielded designs (p3 x higher microplastic deposition than unshielded • The MSC Nipher shielded collector captured the highest microplastic deposition • Dry deposition represented 60% of bulk deposition in the shielded collectors • Collector design had a strong influence on the capture of atmospheric microplastics

Shielded collectors improve the capture of atmospheric microplastic deposition

Key Points

Abstract

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