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Microplastic Pollution in Tributaries of the Mohawk River, New York State
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Researchers found microplastics in nearly all 22 tributaries of the Mohawk River in New York — a source of municipal drinking water — and observed that storm events can dramatically spike microplastic loads, suggesting small streams and storm sewers are significant but overlooked pathways for plastic contamination of drinking water sources.
The Mohawk River in upstate New York is the largest tributary of the Hudson River and a source of municipal drinking water. The present study follows on our 2016 finding that all of the water and sediment samples we collected in the main channel of the Mohawk River contained microplastic particles. In June-July 2018, we sampled water in 22 tributaries of the Mohawk River and the main stem of the Mohawk River in Rome, NY, for microplastics. The 22 tributaries included the three major tributaries and 19 smaller tributaries. All of the streams were sampled under relatively low-flow conditions; one stream (Hans Groot Kill, HGK) was also sampled at high flow. We used a 3-m neuston net with 335-µm mesh and a detachable mesh cod end attached to a 1-m x 0.5-m aluminum frame. The net was positioned so that the water surface lay within the net opening. Flow velocities ranged from 0.067 m/s to 1.061 m/s, stream width varied between 2.6 m and 81 m, and stream depth ranged from 0.15 m to 0.61 m. Sampling intervals were 15 to 27 minutes for all streams except the high-flow sampling of the HGK, which was sampled for 8 minutes in a downpour. The calculated volume of water passing through the net opening during each sampling event ranged from 14 m 3 to 287 m 3 . Solids captured in the net were washed into the cod end, then transferred to a glass jar. In the lab, samples were decanted onto stacked 4.75-mm and 0.300-mm sieves. Larger organic material was rinsed and removed for drying. Remaining particles were transferred to a 600-ml glass beaker. Residual organic material was dissolved using a modified version of the NOAA protocol for wet peroxide oxidation. With 10 samples completed, preliminary microscope examination indicates that microplastic particles are present in 8 of 9 samples collected in the tributaries and in the sample from the Mohawk River. Preliminary tallies of microplastic particles range from 3-4 to 90-111. The low-flow HGK sample has a preliminary count of 94 microplastic particles. Lab work on the high-flow HGK sample has yet to be completed, but a wealth of macroplastic was removed during initial processing. The stark contrast between the HGK at low flow and high flow suggests that storm events may enable usually tiny streams that receive input from storm sewers to deliver high microplastic loads to the Mohawk River when raised to bankfull by heavy rainfall.
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Intensive Sampling for Microplastic Pollution in the Mohawk River, Eastern New York State
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Researchers collected planktonic and sediment samples along the Mohawk River and Erie Canal using manta trawls and Ekman grab samplers, using Raman spectroscopy to identify microplastics and even match paint fragments from canal locks found in river samples.
Elevated Microplastic Concentration in a Small Tributary Stream Under High-flow Conditions: Implications for the Mohawk River, New York
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Microplastic concentrations in a small New York tributary stream surged to 125 particles per cubic meter during high-flow conditions—roughly ten times the low-flow baseline—correlating with storm drain inflow and sewage leakage. This demonstrates that rainfall events dramatically amplify microplastic transport from urban infrastructure into waterways, with implications for downstream river and drinking water contamination.
Pervasive Microplastic Pollution Found in the Mohawk River, New York State
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Researchers surveyed 63 planktonic trawl samples and 64 sediment grab samples across 112 miles of the Mohawk River and Erie Canal, finding microplastics in every sample, with highest particle abundances downstream of major urban centers like Utica and Schenectady.
Characterizing Microplastic Pollution in New York State Waterways
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Researchers investigating microplastic pollution in New York State waterways found that plastic fragments — not just the spherical microbeads from personal care products — were the dominant form of contamination. The findings highlight how diverse and widespread microplastic sources are, complicating efforts to reduce their entry into freshwater systems.
Microplastics Concentrations in the Upper Blackstone River Watershed, Massachusetts, Usa
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Researchers sampled five sites across the Blackstone River watershed in Massachusetts and found microplastics — over 90% fibers — in every sample, with concentrations significantly higher downstream of a wastewater treatment plant and in more urbanized sub-watersheds, confirming treated effluent as a major pollution source.
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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.