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Papers
20 resultsShowing papers similar to Assessment of Different Sampling, Sample Preparation and Analysis Methods Addressing Microplastic Concentration and Transport in Medium and Large Rivers Based on Research in the Danube River Basin
ClearMicroplastics in the riverine environment: Meta-analysis and quality criteria for developing robust field sampling procedures
This meta-analysis reviews how microplastics are sampled in rivers and finds that current methods are inconsistent, making it hard to compare results across studies. Better standardized sampling approaches are needed to accurately measure how much microplastic pollution flows through rivers that supply drinking water to communities.
Microplasic measurements at the Danube river using a multi-level approach
Researchers measured microplastics in the Danube River using multiple sampling approaches at different scales, confirming that microplastics are present throughout the water column. Finer-scale analysis consistently revealed more particles than coarser methods. The findings support the use of multi-level sampling strategies to accurately assess microplastic contamination in major river systems.
A critical view on determination of annual microplastic loads in the Rhine River
Researchers critically examined how microplastic loads in the Rhine River are calculated and found that differences in sampling methods and quantification approaches lead to widely varying estimates. The study suggests that without standardized protocols, reported annual microplastic loads in rivers may be unreliable and difficult to compare across studies.
A Methodology for Measuring Microplastic Transport in Large or Medium Rivers
Researchers developed a net-based multi-depth sampling methodology for measuring microplastic transport across the full vertical profile of medium and large rivers, testing it in the Austrian Danube and revealing high heterogeneity in plastic concentrations within a single cross-section. The study demonstrates that surface-only measurements substantially underestimate total plastic transport in rivers due to turbulent mixing, density variation, and biofilm-driven settling.
Is There a Difference in Yield? A Comparative Analysis of Microplastics Sampling Techniques in River Water with a Low-Velocity Flow
Researchers compared three microplastic sampling techniques in low-velocity river water, quantifying differences in particle abundance and characteristics to evaluate which method most accurately captures microplastic concentrations in surface water environments.
Microplastics in riverine systems: Recommendations for standardized sampling, separation, digestion and characterization
This paper provides standardized recommendations for microplastic sampling, separation, digestion, and characterization protocols in riverine systems, addressing methodological inconsistency that limits cross-study comparability. The authors propose harmonized operating procedures for field sampling and laboratory analysis to improve the reliability and comparability of microplastic data across river studies globally.
A first estimation of uncertainties related to microplastic sampling in rivers
Researchers collected 16 water samples from a French river to test how sampling strategy affects microplastic concentration estimates. Results showed wide variability depending on net deployment time, highlighting that standardized methods are essential before data from different studies can be reliably compared.
Microplastics in Austrian rivers
This German-language review summarizes published research on microplastic contamination in Austrian rivers, with a focus on the Danube. The paper compares findings across studies, identifies methodological inconsistencies, and recommends improvements to sampling and identification approaches for future river microplastic monitoring.
Variance and precision of microplastic sampling in urban rivers
Researchers assessed the variance and precision of microplastic sampling methods in urban rivers, finding that high spatial and temporal variability in microplastic concentrations requires carefully designed sampling strategies to obtain representative measurements and reliable data for river microplastic assessments.
A Practical Overview of Methodologies for Sampling and Analysis of Microplastics in Riverine Environments
This practical review compiles and evaluates sampling and analytical methods for detecting and characterizing microplastics in rivers, including collection devices, extraction protocols, and spectroscopic identification techniques. It provides guidance for researchers designing monitoring studies to ensure reliable and comparable results.
Disparities in Methods Used to Determine Microplastics in the Aquatic Environment: A Review of Legislation, Sampling Process and Instrumental Analysis
This review examined the wide disparities in sampling, processing, and analytical methods used across microplastic studies, highlighting how inconsistent approaches make it difficult to compare results and calling for standardized international protocols and regulatory frameworks.
Evaluation of riverine macro- and mesoplastic monitoring approaches.
This review evaluated and compared existing monitoring approaches for riverine macro- and mesoplastics, identifying key methodological inconsistencies that limit cross-study comparisons and calling for standardization to improve understanding of plastic transport and accumulation in freshwater river systems.
Towards understanding uncertainties in the measurement of microplastic concentrations in river systems
This research investigates how different laboratory methods affect microplastic measurements in rivers, finding that higher-resolution instruments detect far more particles. The study compared contamination in the Yangtze and Rhine river systems, highlighting that the true extent of microplastic pollution in our waterways may be underestimated depending on the analysis methods used.
Does microplastic analysis method affect our understanding of microplastics in the environment?
A comparison of two widely used laboratory methods for measuring microplastics in Danube River water found that the choice of analytical substrate — zinc selenide windows versus Anodisc filters — had a larger effect on results than differences between labs or instruments, because particles clump on filters and instrument artifacts appear around particles on ZnSe windows. The variability between individual water subsamples was also greater than the difference between methods. These findings highlight that inconsistent methodological choices make it difficult to compare microplastic abundance data across studies, and call for greater standardization.
The assessment of microplastic and microfibres in freshwater systems through different sampling methods reveals causes of incomparability.
Researchers performed a literature mining study on microplastic abundance in freshwater systems, finding that large discrepancies between studies arise not only from inherent environmental variability but from methodological differences in sampling and analytical approaches, highlighting the urgent need for standardized protocols.
Methods for Studying Microplastic Pollution in Natural Waters: Current State and Recommendations
This methodological review addresses the lack of standardization in how scientists sample, process, and report microplastic contamination in natural waters, which makes it nearly impossible to compare results across studies. It details quality assurance and quality control steps — especially important given how easily tiny plastic particles contaminate samples from the lab environment itself — and provides concrete recommendations for sampling protocols and data reporting. Harmonizing these methods is a critical step toward building a reliable global database of microplastic pollution.
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.
Knowledge about Microplastic in Mediterranean Tributary River Ecosystems: Lack of Data and Research Needs on Such a Crucial Marine Pollution Source
This review surveys the limited literature on microplastic pollution in freshwater rivers feeding the Mediterranean Sea, finding major gaps in data and inconsistent methods. The authors call for standardized monitoring protocols to better understand how rivers transport microplastics from land to the ocean.
Improving monitoring, analysis and reporting to assess plastic pollution: a matter of comparability
This review examines two decades of microplastic monitoring in aquatic systems, identifying persistent challenges in harmonizing methodologies for sampling, analysis, and reporting that hinder data comparison, and proposing improvements to create comparable datasets for assessing plastic pollution from river basins to the ocean.
Direkte Mikro- und Makroplastiktransportmessungen an großen und mittleren Flüssen sowie im Ablauf von Kläranlagen
This German-language study presents direct measurements of micro- and macroplastic transport in large and medium-sized rivers as well as wastewater treatment plant effluents. It addresses a research gap in freshwater plastic transport quantification, providing empirical data on how rivers carry plastics toward marine environments.