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Abundance and type of microplastics along an urban density gradient in the Allander Water and River Kelvin, Greater Glasgow, Scotland
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This study measured the type and abundance of microplastics in two urban rivers in Glasgow, Scotland, the Allander Water and River Kelvin, along a gradient of urban density. The research aimed to understand how urbanization intensity influences microplastic pollution loads in freshwater systems.
Microplastics have now been found in air, water, and soil, polluting a wide range of environments globally and presenting potential health threats to humans and other organisms. This study aimed to investigate the type and abundance of microplastics in two urban rivers in Glasgow, Scotland. Here we sampled sediments from the more suburban Allander Water and an urban reach of the River Kelvin, northwest and west of Glasgow’s city centre, respectively. Samples were sieved to separate size fractions, and microplastics were identified by both optical microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. We found that microplastics were present in sites along both rivers, with the type of microplastics varying from site to site. The outcome of this study provides useful information for local councils to design effective plastic waste management policy, as well as adds to the growing body of literature evidencing the widespread distribution of microplastic pollution.
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Microplastics Determination in the Rivers with Different Urbanisation Variances: A Case Study in Kuching City, Sarawak, Malaysia
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Researchers measured microplastic abundance in rivers across three areas of Kuching city, Sarawak, Malaysia, with different levels of urbanization. They found that microplastic concentrations increased with urbanization, confirming that human activity is the primary driver of freshwater microplastic pollution.
Abundance, Distribution, and Drivers of Microplastic Contamination in Urban River Environments
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Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination in sediments from the River Tame and its tributaries flowing through Birmingham, UK, finding microplastics in every sample at an average of 165 particles per 100 grams. The study identified urban density, wastewater treatment plant proximity, and river hydrodynamics as key drivers of microplastic accumulation hotspots in urban rivers.
Microplastic pollution in streams spanning an urbanisation gradient
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Researchers sampled microplastics in small streams across an urbanization gradient and found contamination at all sites, with concentrations comparable to those in larger rivers and lakes. Fragments and small particles between 63 and 500 micrometers were the most common forms detected. Surprisingly, catchment-scale factors like population density and stormwater overflows did not predict microplastic levels well, suggesting that local-scale sources may be more important for pollution in small streams.
Spatio-temporal distribution of microplastics in surface water of typical urban rivers in North China, risk assessment and influencing factors
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Researchers measured microplastic levels in two urban rivers in North China across wet and dry seasons and found that concentrations generally increased from upstream to downstream. The most common plastics were polyethylene and polypropylene fibers, with natural factors dominating upstream and human activities driving pollution downstream. The study provides a reference for understanding how urbanization contributes to microplastic contamination in river systems.
Microplastics pollution in the rivers of a metropolitan city and its estimated dependency on surrounding developed land
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Researchers surveyed microplastic pollution in four rivers across Hong Kong and found that rivers in urbanized areas had significantly higher concentrations of plastic particles than the rural river. The most polluted river contained over 53 plastic particles per liter of water, and contamination levels correlated with the proportion of developed land in surrounding areas. The study suggests that urban development and population density are key drivers of microplastic pollution in city waterways.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.