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Microplastic hotspots in the Snake and Lower Columbia rivers: A journey from the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem to the Pacific Ocean
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Microplastics were found throughout the 1,735 km Snake River and into the lower Columbia River, with higher concentrations near urban centers and agricultural areas. The study identifies specific hotspot locations in the western US river system and provides baseline data for understanding microplastic transport from inland agricultural regions to the Pacific Ocean.
It is widely understood that microplastics (MPs) are ubiquitous in the marine environment yet less is known about MP abundance in freshwater rivers, particularly those of the western United States. This study documents MP pollution along the Snake River (∼1735 km) and from its confluence with the Columbia River to the Pacific Ocean. Grab and plankton net samples (mesh size 100 μm) were collected from the top 25 cm of surface water every 80.5 river km. MPs were identified if they met visual criteria and were verified with the hot needle test. A small representative subset of MPs from the net samples (16.7%) were selected based on appearance for micro-Raman spectroscopy in effort to provide examples of polymer types found in this study. Seventy-five percent of grab samples and 92.8% of net samples contained MPs, with concentrations ranging from 0 to 5.405 MP L and 0 to 0.014 MP L (0 to 13.7 MP m), respectively. The majority of fragments, films and beads were between 100 μm and 333 μm. This study identifies potential hotspots of MP pollution along the Snake and Lower Columbia rivers and prioritizes areas where more intensive sampling is needed. Sites with low flow or those further down river had higher numbers and the top two hotspots were located in areas with low population density but high agricultural use. Monitoring MP abundance in freshwater systems is important for establishing baseline levels of MP pollution and can direct laboratory toxicology studies in using more environmentally relevant concentrations for a better indication of how MP pollution affects ecosystems.
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Researchers surveyed microplastic pollution in the Snake River watershed, finding plastic particles throughout the river system including in remote areas far from major urban centers. The study contributes to understanding how microplastics spread through freshwater systems that ultimately drain to the ocean.
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Microplastic particles were found in surface water and sediment samples from the Snake River and Palisades Reservoir in Idaho, expanding documentation of microplastic contamination to freshwater systems in the inland western United States. The study highlights that microplastic pollution is not limited to coastal and heavily urbanized areas but extends to relatively pristine river systems.
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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.
Microplastic Prevalence in 4 Oregon Rivers Along a Rural to Urban Gradient Applying a Cost-Effective Validation Technique
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Microplastics were found in all samples from four Oregon rivers spanning rural to urban settings, and microfiber abundance was correlated with human population within 5 km of sampling sites. The study demonstrates that even remote rural rivers carry measurable plastic pollution, underscoring the pervasive reach of microplastic contamination in freshwater systems.
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