We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
The first spatio-temporal study of the microplastics and meso–macroplastics transport in the Romanian Danube
AI summary Read the abstract
This study measured microplastic transport in the Romanian section of the Danube River over multiple seasons, estimating up to 51 tonnes of microplastics flow through per year. Polyethylene and polypropylene were the most common types, and concentrations varied with seasonal water flow. Since the Danube supplies drinking water and supports fisheries for millions of people, this contamination level raises concerns about human exposure.
Transport, accumulation, and degradation of microplastics (MiPs) in the aquatic environment represent a significant concern to the researchers and policy-makers, due to the detrimental impact on biota and human health through food ingestion. Although consistent investigations and research data are available worldwide, comparing the results is still challenging due to the need for more regulations regarding the sampling methods, analysis, and results reporting. The European regulatory efforts include studies on the MiPs transport in the western basin of the Danube River developed with active nets-based multipoint sampling methods from suspended sediments and proposed for standardization. In this context, the present study aimed to address for the first time the transport of MiPs in the Romanian sector of the Danube, starting after entering the country (Moldova Veche) and before the formation of the Danube Delta (Isaccea). The multipoint nets sampling procedure facilitated the collection of suspended sediments in the water columns as deep as 0.0–0.6 and 3.0–3.6 m depths and near riverbed sediments (autumn 2022 sampling) during an extensive spatio-temporal study from spring 2022 until spring 2023. The estimate of the maximum annual transport of 46–51 and 93–100 t·y−1 for MiPs and total (micro–meso–macroplastics) MPs at Moldova Veche was based on 135 collected and processed samples using 2021 water flow data. Polyethylene (58–69%) and polypropylene (21–33%) were the main polymer components in the separated fragments, foils, microfibers, and different colors spheroids of MiPs ( < 5 mm), and the foils and fibers of meso–macroplastics (5–100 mm). Advanced investigations highlighted various microstructural degradations of the plastic fragments at the micro- and nanoscale and attached minerals (clays) and heavy metals. This paper presents the first comprehensive data set for microplastic annual transport in the "Low Danube", filling the need for a complete transport assessment in one of the most significant European rivers. 4–5 times lower values were measured before the entrance to the Danube Delta than those from Moldova Veche. The investigations should continue, including flooding events, and the sampling points should be expanded to deeper water column layers during all the campaigns for further validation.
More Papers Like This
Quantitative and qualitative analysis of microplastic pollution in a large European river
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers sampled the Budapest reach of the Danube River at multiple water column depths using a Multilevel Manta net, finding an average microplastic concentration of 0.311 mg/m³ (142 particles/m³) dominated by polystyrene, polyethylene, and polypropylene fragments, and estimating substantial microplastic mass flux that underscores the Danube's role as a major transport pathway for plastic pollution.
Sedimentary microplastic concentrations from the Romanian Danube River to the Black Sea
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers measured microplastic concentrations in sediments along the Danube River through the Danube Delta and into the Black Sea, finding that some isolated areas of the Delta still had relatively few plastic particles. The study helps clarify how microplastics move from major rivers into the ocean, an important step for estimating global ocean plastic loads.
Microplastics in the Danube River and Its Main Tributaries—Ingestion by Freshwater Macroinvertebrates
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers measured microplastic concentrations in the Danube River and its major tributaries and analyzed ingestion by freshwater fish species collected from multiple sites. Microplastics were detected in a significant proportion of fish, with ingestion rates correlating with local plastic contamination levels, documenting widespread plastic exposure across the Danube watershed's fish communities.
Hydrodynamic Observations on Microplastic Abundances and Morphologies in the Danube Delta, Romania
AI summary Read the abstract
This study measured microplastic abundance and morphology in fluvial and lake environments of the Danube Delta in Romania, finding microplastics distributed throughout the system. The findings show that the Danube Delta — an important biodiversity hotspot — receives significant microplastic inputs from the river.
Understanding the spatio-temporal behaviour of riverine plastic transport and its significance for flux determination: insights from direct measurements in the Austrian Danube River
AI summary Read the abstract
This study analyzed the spatio-temporal behavior of plastic transport in rivers, examining how flow conditions, catchment characteristics, and seasonal variation influence plastic flux and retention within river systems.
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.