We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
The impact of flood events on the spatio-temporal variability of microplastics in the river sediments of two contrasting streams discharging towards the southern Caspian Sea
AI summary Read the abstract
Microplastic concentrations in two Iranian rivers flowing into the Caspian Sea were monitored before and after a major 2019 flood, revealing that flood events temporarily flush microplastics downstream and redistribute them. Polystyrene fragments dominated the samples, and concentrations were highest at downstream stations influenced by urban areas. The findings show that extreme rainfall events play a key role in mobilizing and spreading microplastic pollution through river networks.
Microplastics (MPs), as global emerging pollutants, have received significant attention worldwide due to their wide spread presence in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. However, the mechanisms controlling their fate and transport through river networks remains poorly understood. This study investigates the spatio-temporal distribution of MPs in two contrasting rivers (Tajan and Talar) discharging to southern coasts of the Caspian Sea, Iran and identifies pollution sources and their activation. In both rivers, MPs were dominated by black-gray larger-sized (1000-5000 μm) Polystyrene (PS)particles. Spatially, MPs concentrations in both rivers differ from upstream to downstream and showed uneven distribution. The March 2019 flood event affected on the concentration and patterns of MPs in river sediments. The total MPs concentration in both river sediments in all stations significantly decreased from pre to post-flood time (p-value
More Papers Like This
Distribution of microplastics in upstream and downstream surface waters of the Iranian rivers discharging to the southern Caspian Sea
AI summary Read the abstract
This study mapped the spatial and seasonal distribution of microplastics in surface waters of 13 rivers discharging into the Caspian Sea in Iran, providing baseline contamination data for a region previously lacking systematic microplastic monitoring.
Sources and hotspots of microplastics of the rivers ending to the southern Caspian Sea
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers surveyed bank sediments from 13 rivers flowing into the southern Caspian Sea across two seasons and found microplastics at all sites with concentrations not significantly different between seasons, suggesting persistent rather than episodic contamination sources in these river systems.
Impact of flooding events on microplastic distribution from rivers to coastal areas: a case study from Tuticorin, Southeast India
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers compared microplastic abundance in river, estuarine, and coastal water and sediment before and after a 2023 flood event in Southeast India. Flood events tripled microplastic abundance in surface water (from 28 to 95 items/L) and increased sediment concentrations 1.5-fold, demonstrating that flooding is a major driver of microplastic redistribution.
Microplastic concentrations in freshwater during a flood event, a case study of the Seine river catchment
AI summary Read the abstract
Microplastic concentrations in freshwater were measured during a flood event to understand how storm-driven flow affects microplastic transport in rivers. The study found that flooding significantly altered microplastic abundances and distribution, with flood pulses mobilizing plastics stored in riverbed sediments and floodplains.
River plastic during floods: Amplified mobilization, limited river-scale dispersion
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated plastic mobilization, transport, and retention dynamics in rivers during flood conditions, finding that high-discharge flood events amplify plastic mobilization from riverbanks and floodplains but that river-scale dispersal of that plastic remains surprisingly limited. They found that most flood-mobilized plastic is re-deposited within the river catchment rather than exported to the ocean, reinforcing the concept that rivers act as both conduits and long-term reservoirs of plastic pollution.
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.