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Microplastics in Moose Jaw River, Saskatchewan, Canada: Spatial variability in abundance, polymer composition, and size distribution
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Scientists found tiny plastic particles (many smaller than the width of a human hair) throughout a Saskatchewan river, with the highest levels near urban areas, likely from road runoff and city sources. More than half the plastic bits were extremely small, which matters because smaller particles can more easily enter the body and travel through tissues, and this study helps identify the types of plastic and pollution sources that may need closer monitoring in drinking water sources.
Microplastics (MPs) in surface waters have emerged as a growing environmental concern due to their persistence, mobility, and interactions with co-occurring pollutants. This study investigated MP pollution in the Moose Jaw River (Saskatchewan, Canada) by providing baseline data on MP abundance, polymer composition, and size distribution across six sampling locations using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (Nicolet iS50 + RaptIR imaging system, Thermo Fisher Scientific). MP concentrations ranged from 40 to 171 particles/L, with substantially higher concentrations at the upstream site compared to downstream locations. This pattern likely reflects elevated inputs from urban runoff and roadway-associated sources upstream, combined with dilution and hydrodynamic dispersion along the river continuum. Across all sites, the dominant polymer types were ethylene propylene / ethylene propylene diene monomer elastomers (EP/EPDM) (27%), polyethylene (PE) (24%), and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) (11%), consistent with their widespread industrial and domestic applications and environmental persistence. Size distribution analysis revealed that particles smaller than 200 µm accounted for more than 50% of detected MPs. Polymer Risk Index (PRI) analysis further showed that site-specific hazard patterns were driven more strongly by polymer composition than by total MP abundance alone. Overall, this study provides the first location-resolved baseline assessment of MPs in a Saskatchewan prairie river and offers practical evidence to support targeted management, mitigation, and long-term monitoring of freshwater MP pollution.
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Characterization of microplastics and anthropogenic fibers in surface waters of the North Saskatchewan River, Alberta, Canada
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Microplastic occurrence, composition, and spatial trends were investigated in the North Saskatchewan River flowing through Edmonton, Alberta. The study found microplastics throughout the urban river corridor, with fiber shapes and synthetic polymers from urban sources dominating the contamination profile.
Levels and composition of microplastics and microfibers in the South Saskatchewan River and stormwater retention ponds in the City of Saskatoon, Canada
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Researchers measured microplastic and microfiber concentrations in the South Saskatchewan River and stormwater retention ponds in Saskatoon, Canada. The study documents freshwater microplastic contamination in a prairie river system and identifies stormwater infrastructure as a pathway for plastic pollution into waterways.
Microplastic Contamination in Water Bodies: Sources, Fate, and Ecological Impacts in Native Rivers
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Tiny plastic bits are ending up in rivers, even remote ones far from cities, coming from trash breakdown, wastewater, and even air. This review of existing research shows these particles can harm river life by physically injuring them and releasing or carrying harmful chemicals, which matters because these same waterways often feed into our drinking water and food supply. Scientists still need better tools to measure the problem and stronger policies to stop plastic pollution at its source.
Microplastic Pollution in the Urbanized North Saskatchewan River
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Microplastic occurrence and potential point sources were investigated in the urbanized North Saskatchewan River in Edmonton, Alberta, with water samples collected from multiple sites. The study documents microplastic contamination in a major Canadian prairie river and identifies urban wastewater and runoff as key local sources.
Assessing the Occurrence of Microplastics in the Snake River
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Researchers surveyed microplastic pollution in the Snake River watershed, finding plastic particles throughout the river system including in remote areas far from major urban centers. The study contributes to understanding how microplastics spread through freshwater systems that ultimately drain to the ocean.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.