We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Microplastics in sediments of the river Rhine—A workflow for preparation and analysis of sediment samples from aquatic river systems for monitoring purposes
Summary
Researchers developed a workflow for preparing and analysing river sediment samples for microplastic monitoring using density separation followed by thermal extraction desorption-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Analysis of Rhine River sediments identified polyethylene and styrene-butadiene rubber as dominant polymers, with total polymer masses ranging from 1.18 to 337.0 µg/g and highest MP concentrations found at low-flow sites such as harbours and reservoirs.
Abstract Microplastics (MP) can be detected in all environmental systems. Marine and terrestrial aquatic systems, especially the transported suspended solids, have often been the focus of scientific investigations in the past. Sediments of aquatic river systems, on the other hand, were often ignored due to the time‐consuming sample preparation and analysis procedures. Spectroscopic measurement methods counting particle numbers are hardly suitable as detection methods, because there are plenty of natural particles next to a small number of MP particles. Integral methods, such as thermoanalytical methods are determining the particle mass independently of the inorganic components. In this study, a workflow for sample preparation via density separation and subsequent analysis by thermal extraction desorption‐gas chromatography/mass spectrometry is presented, which leads to representative and homogeneous samples and allows fast and robust MP mass content measurements suitable for routine analysis. Polymers were identified and quantified in all samples. Polyethylene and styrene‐butadiene rubber are the dominant polymers, besides polypropylene and polystyrene. Overall, total polymer masses between 1.18 and 337.0 µg/g could be determined. Highest MP concentrations in riverbed sediment are found in sites characterized by low flow velocities in harbors and reservoirs, while MP concentrations in sandy/gravelly bed sediments with higher flow velocities are small.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Microplastic Pollution in Benthic Midstream Sediments of the Rhine River
Microplastic concentrations, compositions, and transport dynamics were characterized in Rhine River sediments, showing that fine sediments act as significant temporary sinks and that particle retention varies by sediment compartment.
Occurrence and Spatial Distribution of Microplastics in River Shore Sediments of the Rhine-Main Area in Germany
Researchers surveyed river shore sediments and documented the occurrence and spatial distribution of microplastics, finding that sediment accumulation zones along riverbanks are hotspots for microplastic deposition.
Cross-Sectional Distribution of Microplastics in the Rhine River, Germany—A Mass-Based Approach
A mass balance study of microplastics across the Rhine River used high-sample-number monitoring at multiple depths and cross-sections, finding that MP concentrations and polymer composition varied substantially across the river's cross-section—revealing underestimation of total MP flux in studies based on surface sampling alone.
Microplastics profile along the Rhine River
Researchers measured microplastic concentrations along the Rhine River from source to sea, finding a downstream increase in abundance that reflected cumulative inputs from cities and tributaries, with the Rhine acting as a major conduit delivering plastics to the North Sea.
Comparative assessment of microplastics in water and sediment of a large European river
Researchers quantified microplastics in both water and sediment of the German river Elbe using three complementary methods (visual inspection, FTIR spectroscopy, and pyrolysis-GC/MS), finding that different methods detected different particle fractions and that sediment concentrations were far higher than water.