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Spatio-temporal distribution of microplastics in the protected transboundary Thaya/Dyje River (Central Europe): implications of hydrological connectivity for microplastic monitoring
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Researchers tested river water from the protected Thaya/Dyje River in Central Europe, collecting 35 large water samples over two seasons. Microplastic levels were generally low but varied by location and time, linked to water flow and seasonal patterns rather than simply increasing downstream. The results provide a baseline measurement for future monitoring of this protected river area.
Microplastic (MP) concentrations in rivers are highly dynamic, varying across space, depth, and hydrological conditions, yet conventional monitoring approaches often capture only a fraction of this variability. This study investigated the spatio-temporal distribution of microplastics along a 30 km reach of the hydrologically regulated Thaya/Dyje River within the transboundary Thayatal/Podyjí National Park. A total of 35 large-volume water samples (approximately 5 m 3 each) were collected during November 2024 and July 2025, including longitudinal, lateral, near-bed, and tributary sampling. A comprehensive QA/QC procedure, including blank correction and recovery experiments (n = 22), was applied to support the reliability of the dataset. Mean MP concentrations were relatively low, averaging 8.18 ± 5.32 MP m −3 in the Thaya/Dyje River and 3.14 ± 0.94 MP m −3 in tributaries entering the park. However, pronounced longitudinal, lateral, and inter-campaign variability was observed. MP concentrations showed relationships with flow velocity and travel-time-corrected discharge, while the direction and strength of hydrological relationships differed between campaigns. The relationship between flow velocity and MP concentration also differed significantly between campaigns suggesting shifts between retention- and remobilization-dominated transport. Thus, transport patterns varied with hydrological conditions, including antecedent flow histories, rather than following simple downstream accumulation. These findings highlight the importance of spatially resolved, large-volume sampling for riverine microplastic monitoring and show that variations in transport, temporary storage, remobilization, and incomplete mixing can be interpreted within a hydrological connectivity framework. The relatively low contamination levels also offer a baseline for future monitoring of microplastic pollution in protected and comparable freshwater environments.
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