Fate and environmental effects of microplastics, PFAS, and POPs in the atmosphere

The field of atmospheric pollution has recently expanded to include contaminants such as micro- and nanoplastics, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and persistent organic pollutants (POPs), which are now recognized as emerging threats to air quality, environmental health, and climate systems. These substances are highly persistent, can be transported over long distances, and pose significant risks due to their toxicological properties and potential to bioaccumulate. Although foundational studies have confirmed the widespread presence of these pollutants in urban, rural, and remote atmospheres, much remains unknown about their life cycles, atmospheric transformations, and broader ecological consequences. Current debates focus on the relative sources and sinks, mechanisms of transport and deposition, and the extent to which these pollutants interact with other atmospheric constituents and climatic processes. Recent advances in high-resolution in situ sampling, analytical techniques, and atmospheric modeling have shed light on the occurrence and chemical characteristics of these emerging pollutants, but substantial knowledge gaps remain in tracing their exact origins and predicting their long-term effects.

This Research Topic aims to elucidate the atmospheric pathways, environmental fates, and impacts of emerging air pollutants such as micro- and nanoplastics, PFAS, and POPs. By bringing together contributions from field observations, laboratory experiments, and modeling approaches, this collection seeks to address critical questions regarding sources, transport, transformation, and removal processes. The objective is to deepen our understanding of how these pollutants influence air quality, ecosystem health, and climate dynamics, thereby informing future monitoring strategies and mitigation policies. Research addressing the interconnections between contaminant properties, atmospheric processes, and environmental impacts is especially encouraged to foster holistic risk assessments.

The scope of this Research Topic encompasses studies that investigate the atmospheric behavior and impacts of micro- and nanoplastics, PFAS, and POPs, with a focus on their detection, dynamics, and consequences. Key themes include:

• Atmospheric sources and emission pathways of emerging air pollutants
• Chemical composition, transformation, and degradation in the atmosphere
• Transport mechanisms and atmospheric residence times
• Interactions with other atmospheric particles and pollutants
• Environmental and climatic impacts, including deposition and feedback processes
• Advances in detection and analytical methods for airborne contaminants
• Risk assessment and implications for environmental management and policy

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy Brief
• Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: microplastics, nanoplastics, PFAS, persistent organic pollutants, atmospheric transport, air quality, environmental health, atmospheric transformation, climate impacts, risk assessment

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.