We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Microplastics in the Mississippi River System during Flash Drought Conditions
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers characterized microplastic pollution across seven sites in the Mississippi River System during both flash drought and normal flow conditions. They found that drought conditions altered the composition and concentration of microplastic polymers at sampling sites, likely due to changes in water levels and flow dynamics. The study provides some of the first data on how extreme weather events influence microplastic distribution in one of North America's most important river systems.
The Mississippi River System is of great ecological and economic importance, making it crucial to monitor contaminants within it. While nutrient pollution is well studied, there are little data on microplastics (MPs) in the Mississippi River System (MSRS), especially during drought conditions. Herein, we characterize MP pollution from seven sites across the MSRS during both flash drought and non-drought periods using FTIR microspectroscopy (µ-FTIR). Additionally, we evaluate the impact of multiple water level conditions on MP polymer composition across five time points at a single sampling site. Of all MPs identified, polyethylene terephthalate (PET, 22%), resin (17%), and polyethylene (PE, 10%) were the most abundant polymers. Average concentrations ranged from 16 to 381 MPs/L across seven sites, with no significant difference in concentration between conditions. Irregular particles were the most common morphology, with most MPs falling in the lowest size range measured (30–100 μm). Drought condition had a significant (p < 0.001) impact on polymer composition, and polymers most strongly correlated with flash drought were mostly fluoropolymers. For the single sampling site, concentrations differed, but not significantly, across the five timepoints. These results demonstrate the complex relationship between MP concentration and drought condition, and also highlight the importance of fully characterizing MPs in environmental studies.
More Papers Like This
Storm Response of Fluvial Sedimentary Microplastics
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated how storm events affect microplastic concentrations in river sediments, finding that flood conditions remobilize stored particles and significantly increase microplastic loads in fluvial systems. The study identified key physical controls on microplastic storage and transport in river channels.
Microplastic Chemostasis and Homogeneity During a Historic Flood on the Mississippi River
AI summary Read the abstract
During a historic 2019 Mississippi River flood, researchers found that microplastic concentrations and composition in the water column stayed surprisingly stable across flood and normal-flow conditions, with fibers consistently dominating. This suggests that microplastics in large rivers behave differently than expected — flood events do not appear to dramatically flush or concentrate them — which challenges assumptions used in models estimating how much plastic rivers deliver to the ocean.
Study of the influence of fluvial dynamics on the distribution and transport of microplastics.
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers studied how fluvial dynamics, including water flow, turbulence, and river morphology, influence microplastic distribution and transport in a river system. The study found that hydrological conditions strongly control where microplastics deposit and how they move through the watershed.
Dynamics of microplastics in urban rivers under varying hydrological regimes
AI summary Read the abstract
Monitoring of urban rivers showed that microplastic concentrations fluctuate significantly with varying hydrological conditions such as storm events and seasonal flow changes. Understanding these dynamics is essential for accurately characterizing the river microplastic load and its variability over time.
Assessing Microplastic Debris in the Mississippi River Watershed Across Space, Time, and Varying Flow Conditions
AI summary Read the abstract
Microplastic concentrations in the Mississippi River watershed averaged approximately 80 particles per liter—with fibers comprising 98% of debris—and annual loads to the Gulf of Mexico were estimated at over 30 quadrillion particles. The Mississippi represents one of the largest conduits of plastic pollution from land to ocean, underscoring the need for upstream intervention to protect marine environments.
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.