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Microplastics in freshwater ecosystems - influence of river runoff on microplastic concentrations
Summary
Researchers investigated the presence and characteristics of microplastic pollution in the subsurface waters of the Tollense River in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Germany, examining how river runoff volumes and hydrodynamic conditions influence microplastic concentrations and transport. The study found that runoff events were a key driver of temporal variability in microplastic loads, highlighting the importance of hydrological dynamics in understanding microplastic export from freshwater catchments to the marine environment.
Rivers are one of the most important pathways for microplastics to enter the marine environment. Their transport capacities and the resulting export of particulate matter, including microplastics, from the catchment are influenced by a variety of river characteristics such as catchment size, hydrodynamic regime, flow velocity and runoff as well as morphological conditions and structures. In this study, the presence and characteristics of microplastic pollution within the subsurface water of the river Tollense (Mecklenburg Western Pomerania, Germany) was investigated. The major objective of the study was to identify potential influencing factors and correlations between microplastic particle (¿ 20 µm) concentrations and hydrological parameters such as discharge or flow velocity. In the mean, a microplastic transport of 648 ± 315 particles per second at a measured discharge of 0.93 cubic metre per second were detected at the respective sampling site for the period in August. Almost threefold transport rates are detected for the campaign conducted during May with in mean 1806 ± 1155 particles per second at a measured discharge of 1.8 cubic metre per second. Depending on the sampling season and particle morphology, significant correlations (p ¡ 0.05) were found between the microplastic particle concentrations and the river discharge recorded. Correlations with water quality parameters could not be identified. Based on the results of this study we estimate a transport rate of 3.87E+10 microplastic particles per year passing at the sampling site, particles that subsequently enter the river Peene and end up in the Baltic Sea. Referring to the catchment area of 53,270 ha this results in an estimated annual export rate of 2E+15 microplastic particles per year. Potential sources of microplastics within the investigation area are strongly related to agricultural use and the anthropogenic pressures by the nearby town of Neubrandenburg, Germany. Also see: https://micro2024.sciencesconf.org/558420/document