Atmospheric microplastic deposition in association with GDP and population growth: insights from megacities in northern China

Microplastic (MP) pollution is evolving into one of the most pressing environmental concerns worldwide. This study assessed the impact of economic activities on atmospheric MP pollution across 17 megacities in northern China, analyzing the correlation between the deposition flux of atmospheric MPs and variables such as city population, gross domestic product (GDP), and industrial structure. The results have shown that the MP pollution is obviously impacted by human activities related to increased GDP, population, as well as tertiary service sector, in which the MP pollution shows most close relationship with the GDP growth. Polypropylene, polyamide, polyurethane, and polyethylene were identified as the primary components of atmospheric MPs. The average particle size of MPs in atmospheric dustfall is 78.3 μm, and the frequency of MP particles increases as the particle size decreases. The findings highlight the complex relationship between socio-economic development and atmospheric MP accumulation, providing essential insights for the formulation of targeted emission reduction strategies. Environmental Implication This study analyzed the relationship between permanent population, gross national product, and urban industrial structure with atmospheric microplastic pollution in 20 Chinese cities. This research helps to raise public awareness about the issue of microplastic pollution, providing data support for more effective pollution control and prevention strategies. Furthermore, this study can motivate more individuals to engage in environmental protection actions, leading to reduced plastic use and waste production. This contributes to the promotion of more sustainable urban development models, protecting the ecological environment and fostering harmonious development between the economy and the environment.