We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Papers
5 resultsShowing papers from Hydrion (Netherlands)
ClearOptimising microplastic polyethylene terephthalate fibre extraction from sediments: Tailoring a density-separation procedure for enhanced recovery and reliability
Researchers optimized a density-separation method for extracting polyethylene terephthalate (PET) microplastic fibers from sediment samples using sodium polytungstate solution. They systematically tested variables like solution density, settling time, and agitation to achieve reliable and reproducible extraction rates. The study provides a standardized protocol that could help make microplastic measurements across different research groups more consistent and comparable.
Identification of methodological biases to assess global levels of microplastic pollution in rivers
Scientists analyzed over 7,500 water samples from rivers worldwide and found that different testing methods were giving misleading results about microplastic pollution levels. After correcting for these testing flaws, they discovered some areas have much higher plastic contamination than previously thought, while others have less. This matters because microplastics in rivers can end up in our drinking water and food supply, so getting accurate pollution measurements is crucial for protecting human health.
Plastic retention and export across Europe's rivers
Scientists found that European rivers hold onto much more plastic pollution than previously thought, rather than just carrying it all to the ocean. This matters because rivers are where many communities get their drinking water, and all this trapped plastic waste (including tiny microplastics) could affect water quality and human health. The study shows we need to focus on reducing plastic waste on land to truly clean up our river systems.
Revising the role of discharge in global river plastic transport
Researchers propose that the amount of plastic available for transport — determined by human activity and plastic stockpiles on land — limits how much plastic rivers carry to the ocean, not the river's water flow as previously assumed. This shift in thinking reshapes global plastic pollution models and helps identify better targets for reducing plastic reaching the sea.
Flood induced buttertub spill reveals riverine plastic transport dynamics
Researchers used approximately 8 million empty dairy buttertubs accidentally flushed into the Vesdre River during the July 2021 European floods as a natural tracer to study plastic transport dynamics through the Ourthe and Meuse rivers. They found that the flood event provided a unique opportunity to quantify transport distances, retention patterns, and downstream distribution of macrolitter under extreme hydrological conditions.