We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Microplastics in FLOW: Seasonal patterns in major Latvian rivers
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers collected surface water samples from four major Latvian rivers flowing into the Gulf of Riga across six seasonal sampling events from spring 2022 to summer 2023 using a Manta net. Microplastic concentrations varied significantly by season and river, with highest levels during snowmelt and storm events, revealing that hydrological dynamics are a major driver of river microplastic flux.
Rivers are considered key pathways for microplastics, transporting these pollutants from inland sources to marine environments. In this study, we investigated the seasonal fluctuations of microplastics in the surface waters of four major Latvian rivers (Daugava, Lielupe, Gauja, and Salaca) that flow into the Gulf of Riga. Sampling was conducted from spring 2022 to summer 2023 to represent distinct seasonal and environmental conditions. Using a Manta net (100 μm mesh size) samples were collected in triplicate and analysed for microplastic concentration, shape, size, colour, and polymer composition. Microplastic concentrations ranged from 0.63 to 132.88 particles/m 3 , with the highest levels observed in the River Salaca. Fibres and fragments were the predominant microplastic shapes, with polyethylene, polypropylene, and ethylene propylene diene monomer being the most abundant polymers. We found significant spatial and seasonal variations in microplastic concentrations in some rivers, with the River Salaca showing the most extreme seasonal fluctuations. However, overall, no significant correlation was observed between the suspended material and river discharge variables. Replicate sampling revealed variability between samples, highlighting the need to include replicas. These findings highlight the complexity of microplastic pollution dynamics and the need for careful consideration of seasonal factors when assessing environmental contamination. This article is the first to contribute data from Latvian rivers on the growing pool of information on microplastics contamination in waterways.
More Papers Like This
Microplastics in FLOW: Seasonal Patterns in Major Latvian Rivers
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers monitored seasonal fluctuations of microplastics in the surface waters of four major Latvian rivers (Daugava, Lielupe, Gauja, and Salaca) from spring 2022 to summer 2023 using Manta net sampling, characterizing microplastic concentration, shape, size, and color as these rivers transport pollutants to the Gulf of Riga.
Microplastics in river estuaries – assessing seasonality and importance of sample replicas
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers evaluated seasonal variability in microplastic concentrations across four major Latvian river estuaries flowing into the Gulf of Riga using Manta net trawling across four seasons, finding spring and summer concentrations up to ten times higher than autumn and winter levels and demonstrating that multiple sample replicas substantially improve data reliability.
Microplastics in river estuaries – assessing seasonality and importance of sample replicas
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers evaluated seasonal variability in microplastic concentrations across four major Latvian river estuaries flowing into the Gulf of Riga using Manta net trawling across four seasons, finding spring and summer concentrations up to ten times higher than autumn and winter levels and demonstrating that multiple sample replicas substantially improve data reliability.
Dynamics of microplastics in urban rivers under varying hydrological regimes
AI summary Read the abstract
Monitoring of urban rivers showed that microplastic concentrations fluctuate significantly with varying hydrological conditions such as storm events and seasonal flow changes. Understanding these dynamics is essential for accurately characterizing the river microplastic load and its variability over time.
Spatio-temporal characteristics of microplastics in river surface water: insights from multi-year field monitoring.
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers sampled river water across two years and four seasons to study tiny plastic particles. Microplastic counts were higher in dry seasons than rainy seasons, mainly because higher water flow diluted them, and city pollution sources created persistent hotspots. Flux (the total amount moving through the river) and discharge showed a linear relationship.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.