Articles | Volume 23, issue 24
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-15835-2023
© Author(s) 2023. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-15835-2023
© Author(s) 2023. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
22 Dec 2023
Research article |
| 22 Dec 2023
| 22 Dec 2023
Is transport of microplastics different from mineral particles? Idealized wind tunnel studies on polyethylene microspheres
Eike Maximilian Esders
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Micrometeorology Group, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstraße 30, Bayreuth, Germany
Sebastian Sittl
Department of Physical Chemistry II, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstraße 30, Bayreuth, Germany
Inka Krammel
Department of Physical Chemistry II, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstraße 30, Bayreuth, Germany
Wolfgang Babel
Micrometeorology Group, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstraße 30, Bayreuth, Germany
Bayreuth Center of Ecology and Environmental Research, Dr. Hans-Frisch-Str. 1–3, Bayreuth, Germany
Georg Papastavrou
Department of Physical Chemistry II, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstraße 30, Bayreuth, Germany
Christoph Karl Thomas
Micrometeorology Group, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstraße 30, Bayreuth, Germany
Bayreuth Center of Ecology and Environmental Research, Dr. Hans-Frisch-Str. 1–3, Bayreuth, Germany
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Short summary
Do microplastics behave differently from mineral particles when they are exposed to wind? We observed plastic and mineral particles in a wind tunnel and measured at what wind speeds the particles start to move. The results indicate that microplastics start to move at smaller wind speeds as they weigh less and are less sticky. Hence, we think that microplastics also move more easily in the environment.
Do microplastics behave differently from mineral particles when they are exposed to wind? We...
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