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Microplastics in the Tidal Freshwater Potomac
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This study measured microplastic contamination in the tidal freshwater Potomac River, finding widespread pollution in an undersampled region. The results add to growing evidence that microplastics are ubiquitous in U.S. freshwater systems and highlight the need for expanded monitoring.
Microplastics (MPs) are pieces of plastic between 0.33mm and 5mm and represent a near ubiquitous type of pollution and have been found in almost all bodies of water sampled. MPs represent both an ecological and a public health threat, as vectors of toxic chemicals. Only one peer-reviewed paper quantifies the microplastics issue in the Chesapeake Bay region, with no published findings regarding microplastics in tidal freshwater Potomac River. Yonkos et al. (2015) considers population density of a watersheds in the Bay region as a factor influencing MP concentrations. This study investigates MPs in the Potomac River basin and the impact of land development on MP concentrations.
More Papers Like This
Microplastics in Four Estuarine Rivers in the Chesapeake Bay, U.S.A.
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Researchers surveyed microplastics in four estuarine rivers of the Chesapeake Bay watershed and found contamination across all sites, with fibers as the dominant type and concentrations reflecting inputs from surrounding urban and suburban land use.
Presence and abundance of microplastics in the Thames River Basin, UK
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This UK study documented the presence and abundance of microplastics throughout the Thames River Basin, finding plastic particles at multiple sites and contributing to the evidence base needed for freshwater microplastic monitoring and policy in one of Europe's major river systems.
The quantification of microplastics along a primary Puget Sound river A study from headwaters to estuary
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This study quantified microplastic concentrations along a primary river in the Puget Sound watershed in Washington State, documenting abundance and polymer types at multiple locations. The results add to baseline data on freshwater microplastic contamination in the Pacific Northwest and highlight river systems as transport corridors for plastic entering Puget Sound.
Microplastics- A not so Micro Problem: Prevalence in A North Caroline Freshwater System
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Researchers investigated microplastic prevalence in the Catawba River Basin of North Carolina by collecting 80 water samples across five sites varying in recreation intensity and upstream/downstream position, finding microplastics present in every sample collected and documenting higher concentrations at downstream and recreated sites.
Microplastic abundance and distribution in the open water and sediment of the Ottawa River, Canada, and its tributaries
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All water and sediment samples collected from the Ottawa River contained microplastics, with concentrations in nearshore samples higher than in mid-river trawl samples. The study provides baseline contamination data for a major Canadian river and highlights urban rivers as significant sources of microplastics flowing toward marine systems.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.