We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Spatio-temporal distribution of microplastics in a Mediterranean river catchment: The importance of wastewater as an environmental pathway
AI summary Read the abstract
Microplastic concentrations were mapped across a Mediterranean river catchment in central Spain over multiple seasons, finding that wastewater treatment plant effluents were the dominant point source and that storm events transiently increased concentrations in downstream reaches by mobilizing accumulated particles from river beds and floodplains.
Microplastics (MPs) are considered to be ubiquitous contaminants in freshwater ecosystems, yet their sources and pathways at the river catchment scale need to be better determined. This study assessed MP (55-5000 µm) pollution in a Mediterranean river catchment (central Spain) and aimed to identify the importance of wastewater as an environmental pathway. We sampled treated and untreated wastewaters, and raw and digested sludge from five WWTPs during two seasons. River water and sediments were sampled at three locations with different anthropogenic influences during three seasons. On average, 93% (47-99%) of MPs were retained by WWTPs. Concentrations in river water and sediment ranged between 1 and 227 MPs/m and 0-2630 MPs/kg dw, respectively. Concentrations strongly depended upon land-use, with pollution levels increasing significantly downstream of urban and industrial areas. Seasonality influenced the observed MP concentrations strongly. During high flow periods, higher water but lower sediment concentrations were observed compared to low flow periods. We estimate that 1 × 10 MPs are discharged into the catchment via treated and untreated wastewater annually, which constitutes up to 50% of the total MP catchment discharge. Thus, we conclude that the wastewater system represents a major environmental pathway for MPs into Mediterranean rivers with low dilution capacity.
More Papers Like This
Occurrence of microplastics at Wastewater Treatment Plants in the Guadalete-Barbate river basin (Cadiz, Spain).
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated microplastic occurrence at wastewater treatment plants in the Guadalete-Barbate river basin in Spain, finding microplastics at all stages of treatment and in final effluent. The study identifies these wastewater plants as ongoing point sources of microplastic release into this Mediterranean river basin.
Behavior of macro and microplastics in surface waters in response to extreme meteorological events: a case study on a typical Mediterranean watershed.
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers measured macro- and microplastic concentrations in Mediterranean freshwaters during dry and wet weather periods, finding that rainfall events dramatically increased plastic loads in urban waterways. More urbanized catchments showed higher plastic concentrations during storm events, confirming that urban stormwater runoff is a major driver of microplastic input to rivers. The study highlights the importance of monitoring during and after rain events to capture the full scale of plastic pollution in urban rivers.
Distribution of microplastics present in a stream that receives discharge from wastewater treatment plants
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers traced microplastic pollution along a stream running through a Spanish city and found that wastewater treatment plant discharge accounted for 97% of microplastics in the water, with concentrations peaking at 72,000 particles per liter immediately downstream of the plants.
Dynamics of microplastics in urban rivers under varying hydrological regimes
AI summary Read the abstract
Monitoring of urban rivers showed that microplastic concentrations fluctuate significantly with varying hydrological conditions such as storm events and seasonal flow changes. Understanding these dynamics is essential for accurately characterizing the river microplastic load and its variability over time.
Microplastic concentration, distribution and dynamics along one of the largest Mediterranean-climate rivers: A whole watershed approach.
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers conducted a comprehensive survey of microplastic pollution across the entire Biobio river watershed in Chile, one of the largest rivers in South America. They found microplastics at all 18 sampling sites, with concentrations linked to urbanization, wastewater discharge, and agricultural activities. The study reveals that both environmental and human factors drive microplastic distribution patterns throughout large river systems.
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.