We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Seasonal variation observed in microplastic deposition rates in boreal lake sediments
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers used sediment traps to monitor microplastic deposition rates in a boreal lake over one year across different seasons. The study found that microplastic flux was highest during the growing season and lowest during winter when ice and snow cover limited transport, with a snow disposal site receiving urban snow showing the highest annual deposition rate of 2,300 items per square meter.
Abstract Purpose The sediment trap method allows measurements of vertical microplastic flux rate into sediments and provides comparable information of the spatial microplastic deposition rates. Such data are essential for comparison of the microplastic pollution rates in different sedimentary systems and for future risk assessments. Materials and methods We monitored microplastic fluxes using sediment traps in a boreal lake seasonally during 1 year. The sites represent different level of exposure to anthropogenic activities, from construction work to the open water site. Microplastic fluxes were compared to sediment characteristics (organic content) and sediment accumulation rates. Results and discussion The highest annual microplastic deposition rate (2300 items m −2 year −1 ) was recorded at snow disposal site, a location where the snow collected from the city streets during winter is transported. The lowest rate was observed at the control site (660 items m −2 year −1 ) upstream from the city. Our results reveal the seasonal variation in microplastic deposition rates. In general, the highest microplastic flux rates were measured during growing season, accompanied with higher sedimentation rate. The low microplastic deposition rate during winter is likely explained by ice cover, frozen soil, and snow cover in the catchment. In contrast, microplastic concentration was higher in winter samples due to ceased sediment transport from catchment to lake. The sediment accumulation rate did not predict microplastic accumulation rate. Conclusion Our data suggest seasonal variation in microplastic deposition rates. The microplastic flux rates compared to their concentrations indicates that sites with high sedimentation rates can lead to underestimation of microplastic deposition and hence hamper recognition of hot spots. Graphical Abstract
More Papers Like This
Sediment trapping – An attempt to monitor temporal variation of microplastic flux rates in aquatic systems
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers tested sediment trapping as a tool to monitor temporal variation in microplastic influx in an urban boreal lake, conducting a one-year monitoring program that revealed differences in microplastic flux rates between growing season and winter periods including a spring flood event.
Application of a microplastic trap to the determination of the factors controlling the lakebed deposition of microplastics
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers deployed a microplastic trap in a lake to measure real-world lakebed deposition rates, finding that particle size, density, and seasonal hydrodynamics were key factors controlling microplastic settling, providing field-validated data to improve transport models.
Temporal distribution and seasonal fluxes of microplastics in the sediments of UK rural and urban lakes
AI summary Read the abstract
The temporal distribution and seasonal fluxes of microplastics in the sediments of an unnamed urban waterway were quantified, revealing patterns in how microplastic accumulation varies with season, runoff, and flow conditions. The findings highlight how urban water systems act as sinks and transport pathways for microplastic pollution.
Atmospheric Deposition Of Microplastics Recorded In Icelandic Lake Sediments: Estimating Microplastic Fluxes Using Short Sediment Cores
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers sampled sediment cores from six remote Icelandic crater lakes to estimate atmospheric microplastic deposition flux rates, finding that Iceland's position within major oceanic currents and weather patterns makes it a sentinel site for studying long-range Arctic-bound microplastic transport.
Tracing the journey of microplastics in lake from surface water to accumulation in the sediments
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers conducted a comprehensive seasonal and historical study of microplastics in an urban lake in Latvia, using manta trawling for surface water, sediment coring with 210Pb dating for sediment archives, and sediment traps to assess deposition rates over one year. They found surface water concentrations peaked in summer at 5.71 particles per cubic meter, microplastic concentrations in recent sediments were 25 times higher than layers dating to 1924, and the annual deposition rate was approximately 9.47 particles per square centimeter per year.
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.