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Microplastics in Urban Stormwater: Sampling and Separation Method
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Researchers developed and tested sampling and separation methods for detecting microplastics in urban stormwater runoff, an important but understudied pathway for plastic contamination of surface waters. The study helps establish standardized protocols for monitoring microplastics in stormwater systems.
Microplastics (MPs) are considered emerging contaminants of concern in surface waters. To date, several monitoring studies have reported the presence of MPs in surface water systems, including beaches, waters, and sediments. The harmful impact of MPs on aquatic and marine life has been well documented. Several studies suggested that inland litter transported via stormwater runoff is one of the primary sources of plastics in surface water. Recent studies to quantify the number of MPs in urban stormwater have applied traditional stormwater sampling methods and NOAA methods for analysis. In this paper, we present a critical review of applying existing sampling and extraction methods for MPs in stormwater and present our experience with adapting and revising methods intended to accurately quantify MPs and optimize the separation process. Three designs of metal strainers were built and tested, and the best design was placed in storm drains to collect stormwater samples. Existing methods for soil and sediment analysis suggest wet oxidation prior to density separation; this results in using large volumes of hydrogen peroxide. In addition, stormwater samples could be rich in grass and other organics that are not readily decomposable. A step was added at the beginning to separate floatables and reduce the sample amount for oxidation. This paper tested the efficacy of using a semi-automated mixing to fasten the extraction process and reduce the possibility of losing bio-fouled plastic particles. The paper will also discuss the challenges of laboratory analysis and separation.
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Researchers developed and tested sampling strategies for collecting microplastics from stormwater runoff in separate drainage systems, finding that sampling approach strongly influences the accuracy of estimated pollution loads. Standardized stormwater sampling is important because urban runoff is one of the main pathways delivering microplastics from land to waterways and eventually to the ocean.
Stormwater microplastic polymer types, particle sizes, and impact of techniques
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Researchers characterised microplastic size distribution, morphology, and polymer profiles in urban stormwater runoff across multiple storm events and assessed how different subsampling techniques affect estimated microplastic concentrations and polymer diversity. The study found that subsampling methodology significantly influences results, highlighting the need for standardised approaches to accurately quantify stormwater as a microplastic pathway into aquatic ecosystems.
Microplastics in Stormwater: Sampling and Methodology Challenges
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Stormwater runoff washes microplastics from roads, lawns, and urban surfaces directly into streams and rivers, but measuring this pathway consistently has been hampered by a lack of standardized sampling methods. This study collected stormwater sediment samples from control measures across multiple U.S. regions and found that conventional sampling tools designed for chemical contaminants are poorly suited for capturing the full range of microplastic sizes and shapes. The results call for purpose-built sampling protocols for stormwater microplastics to improve the reliability of pollution monitoring.
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This international study measured microplastic concentrations in urban stormwater sources and receiving water bodies within a city, quantifying how urban runoff pathways contribute to microplastic loads in local aquatic environments.
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Researchers collected stormwater samples from 15 locations during rain events to assess microplastic discharge through urban runoff. The study found highly variable microplastic concentrations influenced by catchment characteristics, and provided estimates of the quantity of microplastics released to receiving waters during rain events, highlighting urban stormwater as an important pathway for microplastic pollution.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.