nMDS assemblage structure of microplastics for A. both nets combined (stress value = 0.178), B. 300 µm mesh size net (Manta; stress value = 0.155) and C. 100 µm mesh size net (Poly-Mer; stress value = 0.185).

Summary

Researchers applied non-metric multidimensional scaling (nMDS) to characterize microplastic assemblage structure across 11 sites in the St. Lawrence River and Estuary using both 300 µm and 100 µm mesh nets, distinguishing fluvial from estuarine zones by polymer type. Stress values indicated moderate-quality ordinations, revealing distinct assemblage patterns between river and estuary sites.