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Influence of land uses on microplastic abundance and composition in surface waters and sediments of Sefidroud River, Iran
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Scientists found tiny plastic particles (microplastics) in both the water and riverbed sediment of Iran's Sefidroud River, with the highest amounts near sewage and farming areas, mostly tiny plastic fibers likely from clothing, fishing gear, and packaging waste. This matters because this river flows into the Caspian Sea, meaning these plastics, and whatever chemicals they carry, can end up in fish and seafood that people eat, making better wastewater treatment and plastic waste management important steps for protecting both the environment and human health.
Microplastics (MPs) are increasingly recognized as critical contaminants in riverine environments, yet the influence of land use sources on their occurrence and characteristics remains poorly quantified. This study assessed MP abundance, size distribution, color, morphology, and polymer composition in surface water and sediments of the Sefidroud River, Iran the largest tributary to the Caspian Sea across forest, agriculture, tourism, residential, sewage-impacted, and estuarine zones. Triplicate samples (n = 33 per matrix) were collected from 11 stations on October 2024. MP concentrations in water ranged from 1,600 ± 300 to 7,300 ± 1,300 items·m⁻, while sediments contained up to 600 ± 99 particles/kg (dry weight). Fibers dominated both matrices (75.78% in water; 67.63% in sediments). The most frequent particle size was 1000-2000 µm in sediments (40.69%) and water (39.75%), and black and white were the prevailing colors. Detected polymers included polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyamide (PA), and polystyrene (PS), with significant differences among the land-use types, indicating distinct source signatures. These findings provide the first comprehensive baseline of MP pollution in this ecologically important basin and underscore the need for targeted mitigation strategies, including improved wastewater management and regulation of agricultural plastics to reduce MP fluxes to the Caspian Sea.
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This study surveyed microplastic pollution in the Zayandeh-rud River, the most important river in central Iran, sampling both water and sediment at 19 locations. Researchers found microplastics at every site, with fibers being the most common shape and concentrations higher in sediment than in surface water. Areas near urban centers and industrial zones showed the highest contamination levels, pointing to human activity as a major source.
Source tracking microplastics pollution from Qarasu basin rivers to Gorgan Bay, Caspian Sea
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Researchers tracked microplastic pollution from eight rivers in the Qarasu basin, Iran, to Gorgan Bay in the Caspian Sea across forest, residential, and agricultural land uses, finding MPs in 87% of fish sampled across nine species and identifying residential land use as a primary driver of elevated microplastic concentrations.
Different land uses influenced on characteristics and distribution of microplastics in Qarasu Basin Rivers, Gorgan Bay, Caspian Sea
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Researchers surveyed microplastics in sediments and fish from rivers in the Qarasu Basin flowing into the Caspian Sea across three land use types: forest, residential, and agricultural. Agricultural areas showed the highest microplastic concentrations in both sediments and fish, and 87% of all fish examined contained microplastics.
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