We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Estimation of Temporal Variations and Annual Flux of Microplastics in Rivers Under Low- and High-flow Conditions
AI summary Read the abstract
This study conducts field observations on microplastic concentrations in a large river (Edo River) and a smaller river (Oborogawa, Chiba) under both low- and high-flow conditions, finding seasonal variation and estimating the Edo River's annual microplastic flux at approximately 15 billion particles (2.42 tons), with flood events contributing 73.5% of that total.
大河川（江戸川）と中小河川（千葉県大堀川）にて5mm以下の微細なプラスチック片（microplastics，MP）に関する現地観測を平常時・出水時（江戸川のみ）に行い，MP濃度の時間変動特性を調べた．合わせて，江戸川では，MPの年間輸送量を推定した．その結果より，MP濃度は，夏季の方が冬季より大きく，MP濃度の季節変化が示唆された．また，江戸川ではMP輸送量Lと流量Qには有意な相関関係が得られた．MPのL-Q式を用いて得られた江戸川のMP数密度（質量濃度）の年間輸送量は150億個（2.42ton）であり，これに対する出水時の寄与率は73.5％（84.1%）を占めた．これより，江戸川のMP fluxには出水時の寄与が大きく，自然系ゴミの輸送特性と類似していることが示された．
More Papers Like This
Dynamics of microplastics in urban rivers under varying hydrological regimes
AI summary Read the abstract
Monitoring of urban rivers showed that microplastic concentrations fluctuate significantly with varying hydrological conditions such as storm events and seasonal flow changes. Understanding these dynamics is essential for accurately characterizing the river microplastic load and its variability over time.
Quantification Of Macroplastics Under Differing Weather Conditions Near A Japanese Farmland River
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers quantified macroplastic (>5 cm) accumulation under different weather conditions near a farmland river in Japan, finding that rainy-day collection rates (~1.39 samples/hour/m2) nearly doubled those of sunny days (~0.87 samples/hour/m2). The study demonstrates that rainfall is a key driver of macroplastic mobilisation and transport in agricultural river systems.
Spatio-temporal characteristics of microplastics in river surface water: insights from multi-year field monitoring.
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers sampled river water across two years and four seasons to study tiny plastic particles. Microplastic counts were higher in dry seasons than rainy seasons, mainly because higher water flow diluted them, and city pollution sources created persistent hotspots. Flux (the total amount moving through the river) and discharge showed a linear relationship.
Inter-event and intra-event dynamics of microplastic emissions in an urban river during rainfall episodes
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers conducted high-frequency sampling of microplastics in a Japanese urban river during three different rainfall events to understand how storms mobilize plastic pollution. They found that rainfall events increased microplastic loads by 4 to 110 times compared to dry weather, with smaller particles mobilizing first during lighter rains and larger particles surging after peak rainfall intensity. The study reveals that storm dynamics play a critical role in determining when and how microplastics are flushed from urban areas into waterways.
Spatiotemporal distribution and annual load of microplastics in the Nakdong River, South Korea
AI summary Read the abstract
Microplastics were measured seasonally and spatially throughout the Nakdong River in South Korea, finding 293–4,760 particles/m³ in water and 1,970 particles/kg in sediment, with concentrations three times higher at the surface than mid-water in downstream areas and an estimated annual load of 15.45 billion particles to the sea. The study provides comprehensive temporal and spatial microplastic flux data for a major Korean river.
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.