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Microplastics in Water Samples Collected from Urban Fountains
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Researchers measured microplastic concentrations and polymer types in public fountain water across Polish and German cities, finding microplastics in every sampled fountain with fibers as the dominant fraction, and observing lower overall contamination in German fountains—likely reflecting differences in urban dust and pavement particle loads rather than polymer-specific patterns.
Publicly accessible urban fountains represent a largely overlooked component of urban water systems, despite their direct human and animal contact and potential role as indicators of local microplastic pollution. There is a lack of information on microplastic studies in publicly exposed fountains. Therefore, the aim of the study was to evaluate concentrations and composition of the aforementioned micropollutants in samples from several fountains in Polish (Gliwice, Rybnik) and German (Halle) cities with similar populations. The sources of microplastic occurrence in the fountains' water were also considered. It should be noted that, so far, microplastics have not been monitored in these places and remain an unidentified concern. Microplastic fractions were detected in each of the studied fountains; however, concentrations, composition, and fractions varied. The most dominant microplastic fraction present in fountain water samples tested was fibers, followed by micro pellets, fragments, and foils. The type of microplastics was not typical for the city but for individual fountains. PET, PA, PE, PP, and PS particles were identified in fountain water; however no dominant polymer could be confirmed. It was concluded that German fountain water contained fewer microplastics than water from Polish cities. The probable explanation is that fewer dust and soil particles were present on German pavements.
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