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Sediment trapping – An attempt to monitor temporal variation of microplastic flux rates in aquatic systems
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Researchers tested sediment trapping as a tool to monitor temporal variation in microplastic influx in an urban boreal lake, conducting a one-year monitoring program that revealed differences in microplastic flux rates between growing season and winter periods including a spring flood event.
Sediment trapping as a tool to monitor microplastic influx was tested in an urban boreal lake basin. The one-year-long trap monitoring consisted of 5-month and 7-month periods representing growing season and winter season (including the spring flood event), respectively. Sediment accumulation rate (SAR), and organic content were determined, highest SAR - 14.5 g/m2/d - was measured during the winter period. Microplastics were extracted from the sediment applying heavy-liquid density separation method and collected under a microscope for further identification with FTIR spectroscopy. PE was identified as the most abundant synthetic polymer type, while PP and PET are also present. The annual microplastic flux rate is 32 400 pieces/m2/year, and highest accumulation does not coincide with the highest SAR, but occurs during the growing season. Changes in the microplastic accumulation rates are related to seasonal conditions. Highest microplastic concentration with respect to dry sediment weight (10 200 pieces/kg) was observed in a growing season sample, while highest concentration with respect to sediment volume (1800 pieces/l) was observed during winter. This finding underlines the problems related to reporting microplastic concentrations in various units. The results highlight that sediment trap monitoring is an efficient tool for monitoring microplastic accumulation rate in aquatic environments and provides an opportunity to better understand and define processes controlling microplastic accumulation.
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Researchers used sediment traps to monitor microplastic deposition rates in a boreal lake over one year across different seasons. The study found that microplastic flux was highest during the growing season and lowest during winter when ice and snow cover limited transport, with a snow disposal site receiving urban snow showing the highest annual deposition rate of 2,300 items per square meter.
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The temporal distribution and seasonal fluxes of microplastics in the sediments of an unnamed urban waterway were quantified, revealing patterns in how microplastic accumulation varies with season, runoff, and flow conditions. The findings highlight how urban water systems act as sinks and transport pathways for microplastic pollution.
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This study evaluated sediment traps as a monitoring tool for measuring microplastic flux rates and deposition patterns in aquatic environments, finding they capture a representative cross-section of settling particles. Researchers found that trap design and deployment duration significantly affect collection efficiency and particle size distribution.
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Researchers deployed a microplastic trap in a lake to measure real-world lakebed deposition rates, finding that particle size, density, and seasonal hydrodynamics were key factors controlling microplastic settling, providing field-validated data to improve transport models.
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Researchers conducted a comprehensive seasonal monitoring study of microplastics in an urban lake in Latvia, tracking distribution in surface water, measuring sediment deposition rates over one year, and analyzing dated sediment archives to determine which environmental compartment best represents long-term microplastic pollution trends. The study aimed to identify the most suitable monitoring matrix and establish standardized sampling protocols for freshwater microplastic research.
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