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Microplastics- A not so Micro Problem: Prevalence in A North Caroline Freshwater System
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Researchers investigated microplastic prevalence in the Catawba River Basin of North Carolina by collecting 80 water samples across five sites varying in recreation intensity and upstream/downstream position, finding microplastics present in every sample collected and documenting higher concentrations at downstream and recreated sites.
While the plastics pollution crisis has remained on the wider global radar, a more recent and seemingly more pervasive type of pollution, known as microplastic pollution, has gained attention by environmentalists. However, there are large gaps in the research of microplastic pollution, especially in freshwater ecosystems. This study seeks to address this gap by investigating the prevalence of microplastics in the Catawba River Basin of North Carolina. The Catawba River Basin is an ideal study location due to its use for recreation, energy, and drinking water for the nearby metropolis of Charlotte, NC. Eighty water samples were collected from five different sites. These sites were characterized by recreated versus non-recreated areas and upstream versus downstream locations. Each sample was vacuum filtered through micron filter paper and then analyzed under a compound microscope for microplastics. Notably, the presence of microplastics in every water sample collected was found. The results showed a 45% increase in prevalence of microplastics in recreated areas compared with less recreated areas, and 25% increase in microplastics downstream of Wastewater Treatment Plants compared with upstream locations. More research is necessary to identify and understand the possible human health and ecological implications of microplastics in the North Carolina area.
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Researchers characterized microplastic distribution across the Neuse River Basin in North Carolina, finding microplastics in both water and sediment at all sampling locations, with concentrations influenced by land use and proximity to urban areas.
Distribution of Microplastics in the Catawba River Basin
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Researchers mapped the distribution of microplastics across the Catawba River Basin in North and South Carolina, providing baseline data on plastic particle concentrations in an urban river system that supplies drinking water to millions of people in the southeastern United States.
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Researchers measured microplastic concentrations in a freshwater river used for recreational purposes and found a significant relationship between microplastic abundance and water physicochemical quality parameters, along with the presence of three organic compounds, providing evidence that microplastic pollution and water quality are closely linked.
Fluvial Concentrations of Microplastics in a Suburban Micro-Watershed: Sampling Methodology and Analysis
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Researchers designed a low-cost sampling station to collect and quantify microplastics in a shallow suburban stream in South Carolina. They found that microplastic abundance increased from the top of the watershed to the bottom, rising from about 269 to 715 particles per 10 cubic meters of surface water. Fibers were the dominant type, and the study highlights the need for standardized sampling methods for small freshwater streams.
Movement of Microplastics in the Catawba River Basin
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Researchers tracked the movement and abundance of microplastics throughout the Catawba River Basin, identifying urban runoff, wastewater treatment plant effluent, and stormwater as primary contributors to microplastic loading in this major southeastern U.S. watershed. Rivers function as critical transport corridors that carry microplastics from inland population centers downstream into estuaries and ultimately coastal marine environments.
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