We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
The largest estuary on the planet is not spared from plastic pollution: Case of the St. Lawrence River Estuary
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers conducted the first macroplastic survey along the St. Lawrence Estuary shorelines, finding ubiquitous contamination dominated by single-use polypropylene, polyethylene, and polystyrene items at an average density of 0.17 items/m², with abundance declining with distance from the Montreal metropolitan area.
The St. Lawrence River, one of the world's largest estuaries, drains >25 % of the world's freshwater reserves and is affected by various anthropogenic effluents. Although previous studies reported micro- and nanoplastics contamination in the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence (EGSL), this study provides a first evaluation of macroplastic pollution along the north and south shores of the EGSL. Plastic debris categorization was performed according to the OSPAR protocol completed by polymer identification using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The EGSL appeared ubiquitously contaminated by plastic debris, dominated by single-use plastics primarily made of polypropylene (28 %), polyethylene (25 %) and polystyrene (17 %). The EGSL shores exhibited a mean contamination level of 0.17 ± 0.11 items/m and distance to Montreal significantly influenced the distribution of plastic debris. This study provides an essential baseline for implementing local waste reduction and management actions in the St. Lawrence watershed to reduce plastic pollution.
More Papers Like This
Surface Water Microplastics in the St. Lawrence River and Estuary in Canada
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers sampled the top 40 centimeters of surface water at 11 sites across the St. Lawrence River and Estuary in Canada, finding microplastics at every single site. Fibers were the most abundant type, followed by fragments, with polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon, and polystyrene the dominant materials. The study also observed that microplastics tended to aggregate more as water salinity increased toward the estuary mouth. The St. Lawrence is a major drinking water source and commercial fishery, making these baseline contamination data important for public health and ecosystem management.
From freshwaters to bivalves: Microplastic distribution along the Saint-Lawrence river-to-sea continuum
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers traced microplastic distribution along the Saint-Lawrence River-to-sea continuum, finding both large and small microplastics in surface water and marine bivalves, with concentrations and polymer types varying between freshwater and estuarine environments.
Spatial distribution and risk assessment of microplastics in surface waters of the St. Lawrence Estuary
AI summary Read the abstract
This study measured microplastic pollution in the St. Lawrence Estuary in eastern Canada, finding an average of 120 particles per cubic meter of surface water. Concentrations were highest near wastewater treatment plant outflows and agricultural areas. The research highlights that estuaries serve as major conduits for microplastic pollution moving from rivers to the ocean, affecting ecosystems and potentially the seafood that communities depend on.
Distribution, abundance, and diversity of microplastics in the upper St. Lawrence River
AI summary Read the abstract
This study quantified the abundance, distribution, and diversity of microplastics in sediments of the St. Lawrence River, Canada, extending previous work on large polyethylene microbeads to a broader range of particle sizes and types. The results revealed widespread microplastic contamination across the river system, with urban areas showing the highest concentrations.
Microplastic pollution in St. Lawrence River sediments
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found polyethylene microbeads in sediments of the St. Lawrence River at concentrations that increased downstream toward the heavily populated Quebec City area. The study is one of the first to document microplastics in the sediments of a major North American freshwater system and confirms that urban wastewater is a primary source.
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.