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New insights into the role of sediments in microplastic inputs from the Northern Dvina River (Russia) to the White and Barents Seas
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Researchers analyzed microplastic contamination in the sediments of the Northern Dvina River, a major source of plastic pollution entering the White and Barents Seas. Using advanced analytical methods, the study found up to 350 mg/kg of microplastics in sediments, with the river branching area forming a pollution hotspot. Evidence indicates that river sediments play a critical role as transfer pathways for microplastics moving from inland sources to Arctic marine environments.
The Northern Dvina River is one of the main sources of microplastic pollution entering to the White and Barents Seas. The coastal and bottom sediments of this river play an important role as a transfer link of microplastics. With Py-GC/MS and μFT-IR methods, it was found that the sediments contain up to 350 mg/kg or 650 particles/kg of microplastic (dry weight). The unique hydrologic conditions of the river branching area contribute to the formation of a microplastic pollution hotspot. The hotspot accumulates >30 % of microplastic pollution, mainly ABS plastic particles smaller than 0.3 mm with roughness and cracks, which increases the hazard class (from II to IV) of microplastic pollution. Obtained data and high annual variability of pollution indicates that this area acts as a place of accumulation, degradation and gradual release of microplastics into the White and Barents Seas, i.e. into the Arctic region.
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Impact of Coastal Sediments of the Northern Dvina River on Microplastics Inputs to the White and Barents Seas
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Researchers used µFT-IR and Py-GC/MS to characterize microplastics in coastal sediments of Russia's Northern Dvina River, finding accumulations of up to 200 particles or 120 mg per kg dominated by ABS and PS particles around 200 µm, and estimated that approximately 218 particles per kg of sediment per year are flushed into the White and Barents Seas during spring flooding.
Plastic Pollution in an Arctic River: A Three-Year Study of Abundance, Mass, and Flux from the Northern Dvina to the White Sea
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Researchers conducted a three-year survey of floating microplastics and macroplastics in the Northern Dvina River using Neuston net sampling, finding low microplastic concentrations with no seasonal flux variability but notable contributions of meso/macroplastics — and identified the Dvina as a leading Arctic river source based on socioeconomic proximity indicators.
Assessment of seasonal variability of input of microplastics from the Northern Dvina River to the Arctic ocean.
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Researchers monitored seasonal variation in microplastic concentrations in the Northern Dvina River near the White Sea across monthly samples from September to November and into 2020, finding fluctuations related to hydrology and human activity. The study provides early data on how seasonality affects microplastic export from a major Arctic river into polar waters.
Assessment of seasonal variability of input of microplastics from the Northern Dvina River to the Arctic Ocean
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Seasonal monitoring of floating microplastics and mesoplastics on the Northern Dvina River in the European Arctic was conducted at its mouth, finding that plastic loads varied substantially across seasons with peak concentrations during snowmelt and high-flow periods. The study estimates plastic inputs to the White Sea and Arctic Ocean from one of the largest rivers draining populated subarctic regions.
Variability of plastic input from the Northern Dvina River
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Researchers monitored floating plastics at the mouth of the Northern Dvina River in Russia over three open-water seasons, finding that polyethylene was the dominant plastic type and that concentrations varied seasonally and between years. Rivers like the Northern Dvina act as conveyor belts delivering microplastics from industrial and urban inland areas to the Arctic seas.
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