Microplastics (<5 mm) are all around us, especially in the oceans where there is concern about their harmful effects on marine life. Rivers are often assumed to be the primary entry route for microplastics to the ocean after their production and use on the land. However, considering sources and routes of transport to the ocean, the atmosphere is seldom mentioned, although this path may facilitate the spread and ubiquity of microplastics around the globe. Interest in atmospheric transport has been sparked by recent publications reporting atmospheric microplastics in remote regions. This session will identify our current understanding and quantitative estimations of the major sources and types of atmospheric microplastics, their atmospheric transport paths, and their inputs to and emissions from the oceans. Contributions are welcome on the development of guidelines for future atmospheric/marine sampling, measurement methods/strategies, as well as modelling, inventories and processes involving microplastics in the remote atmosphere.

• OS - Ocean Sciences

• AMS: American Meteorological Society -