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Distribution of microplastic colour and count in the Crocodile River, South Africa
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Researchers mapped microplastic colors and counts along the Crocodile River in South Africa, finding that black plastic fragments were significantly more abundant in urban areas than natural environments, which may help identify specific source types and guide cleanup priorities.
The aim of this paper was to establish sources for microplastic fibres and fragments based on the presence of specific colours (I) within different land use classes and (II) in relation to the location of wastewater treatment plants. Most of the colours did not result in significantly different counts between the land use classes, except for black fragments, which resulted in significantly higher counts in urban environments compared to natural environments. Since sampling was conducted in the rainy season, run-off from roads that introduces tyre wear in the form of black fragments to the river systems can be assumed to be a source for microplastic pollution that has been previously mentioned in papers, but not yet investigated. Other colours showed a similar pattern as black fragments but did not result in significantly different counts between the land use classes, indicating that with more sampling points these patterns could become statistically significant. The location of wastewater treatment plants did not influence colour counts, most likely due to the spatial distribution of sampling points, which were not positioned adequately for this testing. Further research is needed on the influence of river dynamics on the amounts of microplastics sampled on the sides of the river/at the centre of the channel, as well as investigations into emission of microplastics from sewage sludge, which has been applied to agricultural fields.
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Effects of urbanisation and a wastewater treatment plant on microplastic densities along a subtropical river system
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Researchers quantified microplastic pollution in sediments along a subtropical river system in southern Africa and examined how urbanization and wastewater treatment affect contamination levels. They found that microplastic densities were highest near urban areas and downstream of wastewater treatment plants. The study suggests that urban development and inadequate wastewater infrastructure are key drivers of freshwater microplastic pollution in the region.
Quantifying microplastic pollution in South African mangrove forests: A comparative analysis of abundance, morphotype, polymer composition and toxicity.
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Researchers quantified microplastic pollution in South African mangrove forest sediments across multiple sites, providing rare baseline data for African coastal ecosystems that are underrepresented in global microplastic research. Microplastics were detected at all sampled mangrove sites, with contamination levels varying in relation to proximity to urban development and river inputs.
Microplastic abundance, distribution, and diversity in water and sediments along a subtropical river system
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Researchers investigated microplastic abundance in water and sediments along a subtropical river system in South Africa, finding widespread contamination with fibers as the dominant shape and polyethylene as the most common polymer type.
Abundance, Distribution and Drivers of Microplastic Contaminant in Urban River Environments
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Researchers surveyed microplastic distribution in urban river environments and identified key drivers of accumulation hotspots, finding that land use, hydrology, and infrastructure factors concentrated microplastics at predictable locations that could inform targeted management interventions.
Quantifying microplastic pollution in South African mangrove forests: A comparative analysis of abundance, morphotype, polymer composition and toxicity.
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Researchers quantified microplastic pollution in South African mangrove forests using a comparative approach across multiple sites, filling a baseline knowledge gap for African coastal ecosystems where prior data is scarce. Microplastics were detected across mangrove sediments at levels that varied with proximity to urban and anthropogenic pressure.
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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.