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Airborne microplastic/nanoplastic research: a comprehensive Web of Science (WoS) data-driven bibliometric analysis

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Abstract

This paper presents the landscape of research on airborne microplastics and nanoplastics (MPs/NPs) according to the bibliometric analysis of 147 documents issued between 2015 and 2021, extracted from the Web of Science database. The publications on airborne MPs/NPs have increased rapidly from 2015 onwards, which is largely due to the existence of funding support. Science of the Total Environment is one of the prominent journals in publishing related papers. China, England, the USA, and European Countries have produced a significant output of airborne MP/NP research works, which is associated with the availability of funding agencies regionally or nationally. The research hotspot on the topic ranges from the transport of airborne MPs/NPs to their deposition in the terrestrial or aquatic environments, along with the contamination of samples by indoor MPs/NPs. Most of the publications are either research or review papers related to MPs/NPs. It is crucial to share the understanding of global plastic pollution and its unfavorable effects on humankind by promoting awareness of the existence and impact of MPs/NPs. Funding agencies are vital in boosting the research development of airborne MPs/NPs. Some countries that are lacking funding support were able to publish research findings related to the field of interest, however, with lesser research output. Without sufficient fundings, some impactful publications may not be able to carry a substantial impact in sharing the findings and discoveries with the mass public.

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Funding

The authors would like to acknowledge the financial support from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia under UTM Zamalah Grant (Q.J130000.4551.00N04) and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) Malaysia Branch for the funding under the Mini Research Grant (R.J130000.7651.4C587).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Chemical and Energy Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai, Johor, Malaysia

    Huiyi Tan & Chia Hau Lee

  2. School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Xiamen University Malaysia, Sepang, Xiamen, Selangor, Malaysia

    Guo Ren Mong

  3. Dpto. Matemática Aplicada, Ciencia e Ingeniería de Materiales y Tecnología Electrónica, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Móstoles, Madrid, Spain

    Syie Luing Wong

  4. Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai, Johor, Malaysia

    Keng Yinn Wong, Desmond Daniel Chin Vui Sheng & Hong Yee Kek

  5. Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Benue State University, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria

    Bemgba Bevan Nyakuma

  6. Advanced Membrane Technology Research Centre (AMTEC), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai, Johor, Malaysia

    Mohd Hafiz Dzarfan Othman & Roswanira Abdul Wahab

  7. Department of Food Science, Faculty of Food Science and Technology, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia

    Ahmad Faizal Abdull Razis

  8. Faculty of Computing, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai, Johor, Malaysia

    Nur Haliza Abdul Wahab

  9. Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai, Johor, Malaysia

    Roswanira Abdul Wahab

  10. Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Kee Quen Lee

  11. Faculty of Engineering, Technology & Built Environment, UCSI University, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Meng Choung Chiong

  12. Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Science and Computing, Pen Resource University, P. M. B. 086, Gombe, Gombe State, Nigeria

    Bemgba Bevan Nyakuma

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  1. Huiyi Tan
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  2. Guo Ren Mong
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  3. Syie Luing Wong
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  4. Keng Yinn Wong
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  5. Desmond Daniel Chin Vui Sheng
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  6. Bemgba Bevan Nyakuma
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  9. Ahmad Faizal Abdull Razis
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  10. Nur Haliza Abdul Wahab
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  11. Roswanira Abdul Wahab
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  12. Kee Quen Lee
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  13. Meng Choung Chiong
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  14. Chia Hau Lee
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Contributions

Conceptualization, methodology, funding acquisition, and writing of original draft: KYW; conceptualization, methodology, and writing of original draft: HT, GRM, RAW, and MCC; methodology and reviewing: HYK, AFAR, NHAW, and KQL; writing, review, and editing: SLW, BBN, MHDO, DDCVS, and CHL.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Keng Yinn Wong.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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Responsible Editor: Philippe Garrigues

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Highlights

• Scientific production on airborne micro-/nanoplastics in the atmosphere is analyzed.

• An emerging trend on this topic since 2015 is observed based on 147 publications.

• China, England, the USA, and European Countries are the top productive countries.

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Tan, ., Mong, G.R., Wong, S.L. et al. Airborne microplastic/nanoplastic research: a comprehensive Web of Science (WoS) data-driven bibliometric analysis. Environ Sci Pollut Res 31, 109–126 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-023-31228-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-023-31228-7

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