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Microplastics in urban stormwater sediments and runoff: An essential component in the microplastic cycle
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This review systematically analyzed microplastic contamination in urban stormwater runoff and sediments, finding concentrations that varied enormously across global studies. Researchers found that stormwater is a major but underappreciated pathway for delivering microplastics to rivers, lakes, and oceans. The study highlights that better stormwater management practices are needed to reduce this significant source of aquatic microplastic pollution.
Microplastics in urban stormwater is one of the main sources of microplastics in aquatic systems, however, has rarely been reviewed systematically. Microplastic abundance ranges for microplastics in stormwater and sediment was 0.02-15499 items/L and 106.00-109089 items/kg, respectively. The highest average (7740.45±10901.54 items/L) was obtained for the mean microplastic concentrations found for the stormwater samples collected in Italy. Stormwater sediment samples analyzed in Sao Paulo, South Africa reported the highest abundance of 109089 items/kg. Although numerous microplastic morphologies were detected in stormwater and sediment, fibers/lines were the most common. Polyethylene microplastics most prevalently found in global stormwater systems. Black is the most abundant color found among stormwater microplastics. Majority of microplastics were ranged from 100 μm to 500 μm. This review present environmental fate and behavior of microplastics in urban stormwater runoff and suggested directions for future research regarding approaches to more robust abundance data through standardized microplastic extraction protocols.
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Microplastic in urban sources and receiving water within an urban area
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This international study measured microplastic concentrations in urban stormwater sources and receiving water bodies within a city, quantifying how urban runoff pathways contribute to microplastic loads in local aquatic environments.
A plastic storm: The role of stormwater in the microplastic load of an urban river system
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A study of an urban river system found that stormwater runoff is a major source of microplastic pollution, transporting particles from roads, buildings, and other urban surfaces directly into waterways during rain events. Stormwater contributed a significant fraction of the total microplastic load reaching the ocean, comparable to inputs from wastewater treatment plants. Better management of urban stormwater could meaningfully reduce microplastic pollution in rivers and coastal waters.
Microplastics in urban runoff: Global occurrence and fate
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This review examines global microplastic occurrence in urban runoff, finding concentrations up to 8,580 particles per liter, and highlights critical gaps in understanding microplastic mobilization, transport, and flux from urban environments to waterways.
A plastic storm: The role of stormwater in the microplastic load of an urban river system
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Stormwater systems in urban areas were found to be a significant source of microplastics entering river systems, transporting particles from roads, buildings, and other surfaces during rainfall events. A fine-resolution study measured the types and quantities of microplastics carried by stormwater in an urban catchment, finding concentrations comparable to inputs from wastewater treatment plants. Better capture and treatment of urban stormwater is needed to reduce this largely unregulated pathway for microplastics reaching rivers and the ocean.
A Review of Microplastic Pollution Characteristics in Global Urban Freshwater Catchments
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This review synthesizes evidence on microplastic pollution characteristics in urban freshwater catchments worldwide, examining sources, concentrations, and transport pathways from terrestrial to marine environments. Researchers found that human activities are the fundamental driver of microplastic pollution and that freshwater catchments serve as critical conduits for microplastic transfer to oceans.
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