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Tier 2
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Original research — experimental, observational, or case-control study. Direct primary evidence.
Environmental Sources
Marine & Wildlife
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Spatio-temporal trends in microplastic presence in the sediments of the River Thames catchment (UK)
Marine Pollution Bulletin2024
4 citations
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Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count.
Score: 45
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0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.
Annie Ockelford,
Annie Ockelford,
Annie Ockelford,
Annie Ockelford,
Annie Ockelford,
Annie Ockelford,
Alice A. Horton,
Alice A. Horton,
Alice A. Horton,
Alice A. Horton,
Alice A. Horton,
Alice A. Horton,
Alice A. Horton,
Alice A. Horton,
Alice A. Horton,
Alice A. Horton,
Alice A. Horton,
Alice A. Horton,
Alice A. Horton,
Alice A. Horton,
Alice A. Horton,
Karolina Skalska,
Karolina Skalska,
Karolina Skalska,
Karolina Skalska,
Andrew B. Cundy
Alice A. Horton,
Annie Ockelford,
Annie Ockelford,
Annie Ockelford,
Annie Ockelford,
Annie Ockelford,
Annie Ockelford,
Annie Ockelford,
Annie Ockelford,
Andrew B. Cundy
Andrew B. Cundy
Andrew B. Cundy
Andrew B. Cundy
Andrew B. Cundy
Andrew B. Cundy
Andrew B. Cundy
James Ebdon,
Alice A. Horton,
Alice A. Horton,
Alice A. Horton,
Alice A. Horton,
Alice A. Horton,
Alice A. Horton,
Alice A. Horton,
Alice A. Horton,
Alice A. Horton,
Alice A. Horton,
James Ebdon,
Alice A. Horton,
James Ebdon,
Andrew B. Cundy
James Ebdon,
Alice A. Horton,
James Ebdon,
Alice A. Horton,
James Ebdon,
James Ebdon,
Alice A. Horton,
Andrew B. Cundy
Andrew B. Cundy
Andrew B. Cundy
Alice A. Horton,
Alice A. Horton,
Alice A. Horton,
Andrew B. Cundy
Alice A. Horton,
Andrew B. Cundy
Andrew B. Cundy
Andrew B. Cundy
Andrew B. Cundy
Andrew B. Cundy
Alice A. Horton,
Andrew B. Cundy
Andrew B. Cundy
Alice A. Horton,
Andrew B. Cundy
Andrew B. Cundy
Andrew B. Cundy
Andrew B. Cundy
Alice A. Horton,
Alice A. Horton,
Andrew B. Cundy
Alice A. Horton,
Andrew B. Cundy
Andrew B. Cundy
Andrew B. Cundy
Summary
A 30-month study tracked microplastic concentrations in sediments across the River Thames catchment in the UK, finding an average of 61 items per kg dry weight with sub-millimeter polyethylene fragments dominating. Industrial land use near sampling sites was associated with elevated microplastic concentrations and distinct polymer types.
This study investigated the spatio-temporal variability of microplastics (MPs) in the sediments of the River Thames (UK) catchment over 30 months (July 2019 - Dec 2021). The average MP concentration was 61 items kg d.w., with fragments <1 mm being dominant and polyethylene (PE) the most common polymer. Adjacent land use influenced MP concentrations and types, with industrial sites showing particularly high levels and a prevalence of small beads and industrial polymers. MP concentrations generally decreased after higher winter flows, likely due to sediment rearrangement or winnowing. This study describes the seasonal concentrations and characteristics of MPs present in sediment from the River Thames catchment, and attempts to identify their likely origin. Further, the study provides new insights into the mobility and fate of MPs in riverine settings under varying flow conditions, which is vital given the predicted increases in flooding under various global heating scenarios.