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The occurrence and abundance of microplastics in surface water and sediment of the West River downstream, in the south of China
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Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination in surface water and sediment of the West River downstream in southern China. They found microplastics in all samples, with concentrations ranging widely and fibers being the dominant shape. The study suggests that the downstream section of the West River serves as both a conduit and accumulation zone for microplastic pollution heading toward coastal waters.
Microplastic pollution has aroused great concern in inland waters. Freshwater is the transport routes and potential sources for plastic fragments to the oceans. However, information especially about the occurrence of microplastics in freshwater systems is unclear in certain key areas. This work studied the distribution and characteristics for microplastics in the downstream area of West River. Both sediment and surface water detected microplastics with abundance ranging from 2560 to 10,240 items/kg and 2.99 to 9.87 items/L, respectively. Small size (<0.5 mm) and fiber were the main size and type in both surface waters and sediments. Polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride and polyethylene terephthalate were the polymer types of microplastics, as identified using a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer. In addition, findings here might be in consideration of studying about the distribution of microplastics and the degree to which they were influenced by the use of land. In descending order, the highest microplastics abundance was observed in commercial/public/recreational > residential > industrial > natural areas. Our results indicate the occurrence of high abundance microplastics in river impacted by human activities, and suggest that spatial distribution of microplastics varies between different land use areas.
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Occurrence, potential sources, and ecological risk assessment of microplastics in the inland river basins in Northern China
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Researchers surveyed microplastic pollution in a typical urban river system in Northern China, examining both surface water and sediment samples. They found that river sediments contained dramatically more microplastics than surface water, acting as a sink for this pollution, with polypropylene and polyethylene being the most common types. The study suggests that small fiber and fragment-shaped particles under 0.5 mm dominate these environments, likely originating from everyday plastic products and wastewater discharge.
[Composition and Distribution of Microplastics in the Water and Sediments of Urban Rivers in Beijing].
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Researchers measured microplastic concentrations in water and sediments from eight sampling points along urban rivers in Beijing. Microplastics were widespread, with fibers being the most common type, likely from laundry and textile sources. Urban rivers are important conduits that transport microplastics from cities into larger water bodies and ultimately the ocean.
[Microplastic Pollution Status and Ecological Risk Evaluation in Weihe River].
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This Chinese study characterized microplastic abundance, shapes, sizes, colors, and polymer types in the Weihe River in northwest China. The findings document significant microplastic contamination in a major regional river that drains one of China's most densely populated agricultural areas, raising concerns about both ecosystem and human health.
Seasonal variations of microplastics in surface water and sediment in an inland river drinking water source in southern China
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Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination in surface water and sediment of a southern China river used as a drinking water source during both flooding and dry seasons. They found microplastic abundances were generally higher during the dry period, with fibers being the dominant type and polyethylene the most common polymer. The study suggests that seasonal hydrological changes significantly affect microplastic distribution in inland drinking water sources.
Riverine microplastic pollution matters: A case study in the Zhangjiang River of Southeastern China
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Researchers conducted the first survey of microplastic pollution in the Zhangjiang River in southeastern China, finding concentrations ranging from 50 to 725 particles per cubic meter. Polypropylene and polyethylene were the dominant polymer types, accounting for about 75% of all particles, with fragments being the most common shape. The study establishes baseline data on riverine microplastic pollution in this watershed and its potential role in transporting plastics to coastal waters.
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