We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Evaluation of vertical distribution characteristics of microplastics under 20 μm in lake and river waters in South Korea
Summary
Researchers developed a method for measuring very small microplastics (under 20 µm) in lake and river waters in South Korea and found they were widely distributed across different depths. Smaller microplastics are harder to sample and are largely missed by standard net-based methods. The study emphasizes that conventional monitoring approaches likely undercount microplastic contamination in freshwater systems.
Abstract Following the alarming reports of microplastic pollution in the marine environment, increased attention has been given to microplastics in other environmental media. Despite the attention, there is limited information on the effects of microplastics distribution in freshwater systems. Further, because the size of microplastics varies widely in the environment, the commonly used sampling devices are not suitable for selectively extracting microplastics without causing cross-contamination. Thus, we developed a suitable device for microplastics of size 5–20 µm and studied microplastics distribution in freshwater at various depths by considering various types of microplastics and aqueous systems. Lake and river, two major water sources in South Korea, were selected for the study of microplastics distribution in water system. The microplastics distribution characteristics in both water systems showed that polypropylene and polyethylene were the most abundant across all depths because of their production volume. Plastic types with higher density were found only at the lower layers, and polystyrene was found in the upper layers because of the environmental effects on its buoyancy caused pore diameter and surface area. The lake and river had higher microplastics distribution in the lower layer and upper layer, respectively. This was because the flow rate in river was higher than that of lake. The higher flow rate reduced the settling velocity in river. Thus, hydrodynamic stability influences the vertical distribution and concentrations of microplastics in the water systems. These results are expected to be used for understanding the behavioral characteristics of microplastics in water systems and to manage water sources.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Assessing diversity, abundance, and mass of microplastics (~ 1–300 μm) in aquatic systems
Researchers developed improved methods for quantifying very small microplastic particles (roughly 1 to 300 micrometers) in freshwater systems, showing that conventional sampling dramatically underestimates plastic particle counts. Accurately measuring this smaller size fraction is critical for understanding real-world microplastic concentrations and their biological impacts.
Horizontal and Vertical Distribution of Microplastics in Korean Coastal Waters
The first study to examine vertical distribution of microplastics in South Korean coastal waters found that particles were present throughout the water column from the surface to depths of 58 meters, with concentrations varying by size and location. The results indicate that microplastic contamination is not confined to the surface and affects organisms at all depths in semi-enclosed bays.
Abundant small microplastics hidden in water columns of the Yellow Sea and East China Sea: Distribution, transportation and potential risk
Researchers discovered abundant small microplastics (under 100 micrometers) hidden beneath the surface of the Yellow Sea and East China Sea, at concentrations far higher than previously reported surface counts. The study suggests that conventional surface sampling methods may significantly underestimate the true extent of marine microplastic pollution, particularly for smaller particles.
Microplastic accumulation dynamics in Han river headwaters: Sediment interactions and environmental implication
Researchers examined both horizontal and vertical distribution of microplastics in sediments surrounding Lake Paldang in South Korea, along with detailed physicochemical characterization. They found that sediments serve as major repositories for microplastics, with distribution patterns varying across different spatial dimensions. The study provides important data on how microplastics accumulate in freshwater sediments at the headwaters of a major river system.
The determination of microplastic contamination in freshwater environments using sampling methods – A case study
Polish researchers compared different net sizes and sampling volumes for collecting microplastics from freshwater lakes and found that fine nets (20 micrometer mesh) are essential for capturing the smallest plastic fibers, and that sampling larger volumes risks clogging in nutrient-rich water, leading to underestimates of contamination. The study is the first in Poland to demonstrate these methodological effects on microplastic abundance estimates and provides practical guidance for designing more accurate freshwater monitoring programs.