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Microplastics and Mesoplastics in Stagnant Waters of the Vistula River in Heavily Urbanized Areas of Krakow District – Preliminary Research
Original title: Mikroplastik I Mezoplastik W Zastoiskach Wód Wisłyna Obszarach Silnie Zurbanizowanychpowiatu Krakowskiego – Badania Wstępne
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This Polish-language study detected microplastics and mesoplastics in backwater pools of the Vistula River in the Kraków metropolitan area. All sampled locations contained secondary plastic particles fragmented from larger debris, with diverse colours, shapes, and sizes identified.
Aim of the study: The aim of the study was to analyze the occurrence of plastic particles in the waters of the Vistula River within Kraków. Material and methods: The presence of micro- and mesoplasic substances in the collected water samples was determined. The amount, origin (primary / secondary), color, shape and size for all plastic particles were determined. Results and conclusions: In all the tested Vistula pools, secondary plastic particles fragmented from larger plastics were found. Based on the size, 2 main groups are distinguished: microplastic (MP) and mesoplastic (MSP). Based on the color of the particles, 5 main groups of MPs were distinguished that were found in the water of the Vistula: blue, white, red, gray and black. Based on the shape, 4 main groups of MP were distinguished: fragments, granules, films and fibers. This study highlights the importance of large municipal rivers as a source of plastic particles. It has been shown that the surface water of Kraków contain MP and MSP, which may have an adverse effect incl. water birds living in the Vistula stagnation.
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