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Occurrence of Microplastic Fragments in Pasig River
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Researchers investigated microplastic occurrence in the Pasig River in the Philippines, which is estimated to discharge tens of thousands of tonnes of plastic into the ocean annually. The study found microplastic particles present in river water samples, consistent with the river's role as a major global ocean plastic polluter.
In an article published Lebreton et al 2017 in Nature Communication, Pasig River belongs to the top 20 polluters of plastics in world’s oceans dumping an estimated 3.88x10 4 tonnes of plastics annually. With these estimates, there is also the likelihood for microplastics to occur in the river. Microplastics are plastics particles with dimensions less than 5 mm. These are formed within bodies of water i.e. rivers by the forces shearing the large plastics. Also the UV from sunlight degrades plastic materials causing it to break into smaller, micro-sized or even nano-sized particles. Our group, reports the isolation of microplastic fragments in Pasig River near the Polytechnic University of the Philippines Main Campus in Sta. Mesa, Manila. The collection of floating particulates is by sieving the river water (flow rate = 0.31 m s -1 ) through a 0.35-mm mesh for 10 minutes. A total 25.7 m 3 river water was collected after three (3) sampling visits. Following collection, microplastics were isolated through a series of peroxide oxidation and sedimentation methods. Microplastic fragments was viewed and photographed under a compound microscope (40-100x). Thirty-four (34) microplastic fragments with lengths ranging from 0.56 – 4.58 mm was recorded. Microplastics were categorized as small and large with lengths of 1.16 ± 0.42 mm for small and 4.13 ± 0.37 mm for large respectively.
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Occurrence of microplastic fragments in the Pasig River
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Microplastic fragments were found in water samples from the Pasig River in the Philippines, a heavily urbanized river flowing through Metro Manila. The findings are consistent with the Philippines' status as one of the world's largest sources of ocean plastic pollution.
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Researchers investigated microplastic contamination in sediments along the Cagayan de Oro River in the Philippines, one of the country's top plastic-emitting rivers. The study found that all sampling locations were contaminated, with the highest concentrations near the river mouth where it meets the ocean. The most common microplastics were blue-colored polyethylene fibers, and concentrations increased from upstream to downstream, confirming that rivers are significant pathways for microplastics entering marine environments.
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Scientists surveyed microplastic pollution along the Cagayan de Oro River in the Philippines, finding an average of 300 particles per cubic meter of water, dominated by fibers and blue-colored fragments. The highest concentrations were found near the river mouth, suggesting accumulation as water flows toward the coast. The study provides baseline data on microplastic contamination in an understudied region and highlights the need for more monitoring in Philippine waterways.
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Scientists measured microplastic and heavy metal contamination in river sediments of the Pasig River in the Philippines, finding between 2,700 and 28,250 plastic particles per kilogram. Contamination was highest in urbanized areas, with polyester and polyethylene being the most common plastic types found. Since this river serves as a water source for nearby communities, the findings raise concerns about human exposure through contaminated water.
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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.