We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Vertical distribution of microplastics in a river water column using an innovative sampling method
AI summary Read the abstract
An aquatic drone was adapted to simultaneously sample microplastics from the water surface and subsurface layers in a river, revealing that concentrations differed significantly between depths. Buoyant microplastics accumulated at the surface while denser particles were more evenly distributed through the water column. The use of vertical profiling tools addresses a major gap in understanding microplastic behavior in rivers, most of which have only been sampled at the surface.
The microplastics (MPs) pollution has been widely documented in all type of aquatic environment. However, most of the studies focus on the MPs contamination in the surface water and there is a lack of knowledge about contamination in the water column. In the present study, we adapted an aquatic drone to sample MPs both in the water surface (0 – 25 cm) and subsurface (25-50 cm). In a previous study, the aquatic drone has been shown to be more accurate for sampling MPs than the Manta net. The samples of surface and subsurface water were collected in a river with the aquatic drone, while an in-situ pump was used to sample water near the bottom (2 to 3 m depth) of the river. MPs concentrations (n.L-1) and their characteristics (size, morphology, color, shape and polymer nature) were determined and compared between the three sampling compartments. All of the water compartments sampled were contaminated. Our results showed that subsurface water could be as contaminated as the surface water. In terms of shape, fibers and film were a majority on the water surface while fragments were found in greater proportion in subsurface water. This study demonstrates that sampling only the water surface could result in bias for assessing the MPs contamination in aquatic environment. Also see: https://micro2022.sciencesconf.org/426655/document
More Papers Like This
Vertical distribution of microplastics in a river water column using an innovative sampling method
AI summary Read the abstract
An innovative sampling method was used to assess microplastic contamination in both surface and subsurface river water, finding higher MP concentrations near the riverbed than at the surface, highlighting that surface-only sampling underestimates total MP contamination in rivers.
Concentration Depth Profiles of Microplastic Particles in River Flow and Implications for Surface Sampling
AI summary Read the abstract
This study measured microplastic concentration depth profiles in river flow and found that particles are not uniformly distributed in the water column, with implications for sampling strategy and the accuracy of estimates of total microplastic transport.
An innovative approach for microplastic sampling in all surface water bodies using an aquatic drone
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers adapted an aquatic drone to sample microplastics in surface water, finding it produced results comparable to the standard Manta net while offering better reproducibility and improved capture of smaller, lighter particles in both river and coastal environments.
Insights into the horizontal and vertical profiles of microplastics in a river emptying into the sea affected by intensive anthropogenic activities in Northern China
AI summary Read the abstract
This first vertical profile study of microplastics in a river in northern China found significant differences in microplastic concentration between surface, intermediate, and bottom waters, with higher abundances near the riverbed, suggesting that surface-only sampling underestimates total microplastic loads.
A Methodology for Measuring Microplastic Transport in Large or Medium Rivers
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers developed a net-based multi-depth sampling methodology for measuring microplastic transport across the full vertical profile of medium and large rivers, testing it in the Austrian Danube and revealing high heterogeneity in plastic concentrations within a single cross-section. The study demonstrates that surface-only measurements substantially underestimate total plastic transport in rivers due to turbulent mixing, density variation, and biofilm-driven settling.
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.