We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Spatial distribution of microplastics in floodplain sediments of the river Loire (France)
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers mapped microplastic distribution in floodplain sediments along a stretch of the Loire River in France, examining how hydrological processes control where plastic particles are deposited. Understanding sediment-microplastic dynamics in river floodplains is important because floodplains can both store and re-release microplastics during flooding events.
Sediments from rivers, lakes, and other continental hydrosystems constitute important sinks for microplastics but remain a poorly studied compartment (Dris et al., 2018). Microplastic spatial distribution depends both on their intrinsic properties, and also on hydro-sedimentary processes. However, the understanding of MP depositional mechanisms within sediments remains fragmentary. In the vast majority of studies, these sediments are sampled without questioning hydro-sedimentary processes which may control the abundance of MP at different spatial scales (Dekiff et al., 2014; Mani et al., 2018). In this context, 16 surface sediment samples were collected in a floodplain of the river Loire (over an 8 km² area). These samples correspond to different depositional environments with various connectivity levels and sediment compositions. After treatment of samples (organic matter digestion and densimetric separations), the quantities, types and sizes of microplastics in each sample were analysed by µFTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy coupled to microscopy). In parallel, grain size distributions and total organic carbon contents were also analysed. The connectivity rate to the river flow was determined by combining sample altitudes and water level variations over the last decade. Results show MP levels ranging between 1,110 and 19,342 items/kg dw (dry weight). A substantial spatial variability is illustrated over the floodplain. Analyzes are ongoing to explain this variability regarding : (i) the connectivity rate linked with the local topography and hydrological conditons, (ii) sediment composition as a proxy of hydro-sedimentary processes, (iii) the geomorphological functionning of sampled environments, and potentially (iv) surface land cover to determine whether vegetation has a significative impact on MP abundance in these flooplain depositional environments. Also see: https://micro2022.sciencesconf.org/427190/document
More Papers Like This
Exploring possible controlling factors of spatial distribution of microplastics in sediments of a river segment (Loire River, France)
AI summary Read the abstract
At 14 sites along an 8 km Loire River segment, microplastic concentrations and polymer types varied significantly by sedimentary environment, with grain size and flooding frequency as key controlling factors for MP spatial distribution in river sediments.
Spatial Distribution Of Microplastics In Overbank Deposits And Sandbar Sediments Of The River Loire (France)
AI summary Read the abstract
This conference presentation reports on the spatial distribution of microplastics in riverbank deposits and sandbars along the Loire River in France. River sediments serve as temporary storage and long-term sinks for microplastics transported downstream toward coastal and marine environments.
A multi-method analysis of microplastic abundance in Rhine floodplains as a function of their local topography and flood frequencies
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers measured microplastic abundance in Rhine River floodplain sediments at different distances from the river and at different times relative to flood events. Flooding was found to both deposit and remobilize microplastics across floodplains, creating complex spatiotemporal patterns. The study highlights that floodplains are important temporary storage areas for microplastics and that flood dynamics play a major role in transporting them across river-terrestrial ecosystem boundaries.
Why analysing microplastics in floodplains matters: application in a sedimentary context
AI summary Read the abstract
This study examined microplastic distribution and accumulation in floodplain areas of Germany, finding that floodplains trap and concentrate microplastics during flood events and serve as long-term storage sites. Floodplains are an important but underappreciated environmental compartment for microplastic accumulation that can release particles back into rivers during future floods.
Deposition and in-situ translocation of microplastics in floodplain soils
AI summary Read the abstract
This study examined how microplastics deposit and move through floodplain soils during flooding events, finding that floods both deposit and redistribute microplastics in agricultural and riparian soils. The findings help explain how microplastic pollution spreads from rivers into surrounding terrestrial environments.
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.