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Water transfer projects and microplastics: Analyzing changes in lake environments with a focus on Wabu Lake, China
Summary
Researchers studied how opening a navigation channel in Wabu Lake, China, as part of a water transfer project changed microplastic concentrations and polymer composition in surface water and sediment. Navigation significantly reduced microplastic levels but also altered the dominant polymer types present.
Microplastics are widespread in freshwaters, yet their interaction with navigational structures remains unclear. This study compared the distribution and characteristics of microplastics before and after navigation in Wabu Lake. Microplastic concentrations decreased significantly in both surface water and sediment due to navigation opened, from 13.7 ± 6.56 to 3.12 ± 1.8 p L (p < 0.001) and from 568 ± 286 to 174 ± 60.2 p kg (p < 0.001), respectively. Acrylates copolymer was frequently detected in surface water and sediment before navigation, whereas the dominant polymer after navigation was chlorinated polyisoprene in surface water and chlorinated polyethylene in sediment. The results showed that three-years dredging induced relatively severe microplastic pollution before navigation, however, these microplastics were apparently eliminated after navigation, as the distribution and characteristics of microplastics thoroughly varied. This study provides a valuable finding that microplastic transport process can be facilitated by water transfer project, which should be considered for preventing microplastic pollution.