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Microphotographs of microplastics found in the St. Lawrence River.
Summary
Researchers documented diverse microplastic particle types collected from the St. Lawrence River using microphotography, identifying polyethylene fragments, polyolefin fragments, polystyrene beads, and polyethylene fibers in multiple colors from sites including Portneuf, Trois-Rivières, and Baie Saint-Paul. The images confirm the variety of polymer types and morphologies present across both fluvial and estuarine sampling locations.
(A) Green polyethylene fragment, Portneuf, >300 µm (B) Beige polyethylene fragment, Portneuf, >300 µm (C) Blue polyolefin fragment, Portneuf, >300 µm (D) Red polyethylene fiber, Baie Saint-Paul, >300 µm (E) Green polyethylene fragment, Trois-Rivières, >100 µm (F) Transparent and yellow polystyrene bead, Baie Saint-Paul, >300 µm (G) Green polystyrene fragment, Sorel, >100 µm (H) Beige polypropylene fiber, Trois-Rivières, >100 µm (I) Transparent and yellow polyethylene fragment, Trois-Pistoles, >300 µm; and (J) Blue polyethylene fragment, Trois-Pistoles, >300 µm.
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