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Microplastic Concentrations and Types in a Central Illinois Urban Stream
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Researchers sampled microplastic concentrations in a small urban stream and its tributaries in central Illinois, finding widespread contamination with higher levels near more urbanized land use. The study also detected seasonal variation in concentrations, adding to evidence that small urban waterways are significant pathways for plastic pollution reaching larger water bodies.
Microplastics are a persistent problem in many types of ecosystems across the world. The majority of microplastic studies have been conducted in the marine environments as well as larger freshwater lakes and rivers. We investigated microplastic concentrations in a small urban stream and its tributaries in Bloomington and Normal, Illinois. We also considered the relationship between watershed characteristics and microplastic concentrations as well as between seasonality and concentrations. Grab samples were collected in the fall of 2020 and winter of 2021 from Sugar Creek and its respective tributaries. The samples were processed following a standardized method created by the NOAA. Watershed characteristics, such as the area of the watersheds and landcover types, were determined with ArcGIS. We discovered that microplastic concentrations in a small urban stream are high and the particles consistently present across the seasons. There was no relationship between watershed characteristics and microplastics indicating that the source of microplastics is unrelated to these characteristics in an urban area. Our results indicate that urban landscapes are major contributors of microplastics in freshwater environments.
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Temporal/Spatial Trends and Concentrations of Microplastics in Streams Throughout the Central Illinois Watersheds
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This study measured microplastic concentrations across streams in a U.S. city, finding elevated levels downstream of wastewater treatment plants and in urban waterways. The results highlight urban wastewater discharge as a key pathway delivering microplastics from everyday activities — including laundry — into freshwater systems.
Microplastic pollution in streams spanning an urbanisation gradient
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Researchers sampled microplastics in small streams across an urbanization gradient and found contamination at all sites, with concentrations comparable to those in larger rivers and lakes. Fragments and small particles between 63 and 500 micrometers were the most common forms detected. Surprisingly, catchment-scale factors like population density and stormwater overflows did not predict microplastic levels well, suggesting that local-scale sources may be more important for pollution in small streams.
Microplastic Concentration and Type in a Central Illinois Urban Stream
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Researchers measured microplastic concentrations in a small urban stream in central Illinois and found levels orders of magnitude higher than those in major rivers like the Chicago or Danube, with downstream concentrations reaching 2,000 particles per cubic meter. The findings suggest small urban waterways may be underestimated but significant pathways for funneling microplastics into larger water systems.
Watershed Characteristics Affect Microplastic Concentrations in a Central Illinois Urban Stream
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Researchers found that small urban streams can contain far higher microplastic concentrations than large rivers, with a central Illinois stream averaging 122 microplastics per cubic meter — suggesting that urban runoff and storm drainage are major, often underestimated sources of microplastic pollution in freshwater systems.
Microplastic contamination in urban aquatic environments: Occurrence characteristics in urban streams and stormwater runoff from urban surfaces
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Researchers examined microplastic contamination in urban streams and stormwater runoff across different seasons and found that wastewater treatment plant discharges were a major source during dry weather. During rainy periods, stormwater runoff from roads and rooftops contributed additional microplastics, predominantly fibers and fragments. The study highlights that urban water systems receive microplastic pollution from multiple pathways year-round.
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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.