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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to A critical view on determination of annual microplastic loads in the Rhine River
ClearAssessment 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
Monitoring microplastics in rivers is hampered by the lack of standardized methods, making it difficult to compare results across studies. This research tested three common sampling approaches on the Danube River and its tributaries, finding that each method produced meaningfully different estimates of microplastic concentrations and transport. The results underscore the urgent need for agreed-upon protocols so that data from different countries and research groups can be reliably combined to track river-to-ocean plastic pollution.
Microplastics 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.
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.
One Year Observation of Microplastic Concentrations in the River Rhine
Researchers conducted a year-long observation of microplastic concentrations in the River Rhine, generating a large dataset analyzed under rigorous statistical methods. The study provides mass concentration data that establishes environmentally relevant baseline levels, which are essential for realistic risk assessment of microplastic exposure in freshwater 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.
Microplastics profile along the Rhine River
Researchers measured microplastic concentrations along the Rhine River from source to sea, finding a downstream increase in abundance that reflected cumulative inputs from cities and tributaries, with the Rhine acting as a major conduit delivering plastics to the North Sea.
Change of perspective through quality assurance measures on microplastic particle counts in surface waters of the Rhine River - Importance of LOD and LOQ
Researchers surveyed the entire 1,233-km length of the Rhine River for micro- and nanoplastics, emphasizing that proper quality assurance measures — including defined limits of detection and quantification — are essential for producing reliable and comparable plastic pollution data.
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.
Rapid Assessment of Floating Macroplastic Transport in the Rhine
Researchers developed a rapid assessment methodology to quantify floating macroplastic transport in the Rhine River using visual counting from bridges combined with flow velocity data, demonstrating the feasibility of low-cost monitoring approaches for riverine plastic flux. The study contributes to better understanding of how rivers function as pathways delivering plastic pollution to the ocean.
Cross-Sectional Distribution of Microplastics in the Rhine River, Germany—A Mass-Based Approach
A mass balance study of microplastics across the Rhine River used high-sample-number monitoring at multiple depths and cross-sections, finding that MP concentrations and polymer composition varied substantially across the river's cross-section—revealing underestimation of total MP flux in studies based on surface sampling alone.
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.
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.
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.
Microplastics in the Water Column of the Rhine River Near Basel: 22 Months of Sampling
Researchers conducted 22 months of continuous microplastic sampling in the Rhine River near Basel, Switzerland, measuring contamination in the water column rather than just at the surface. The study found that microplastic concentrations varied greatly over time and were influenced by seasonal factors and sampling methodology, emphasizing the need for long-term monitoring programs to accurately assess river plastic pollution.
A critical view on microplastic quantification in aquatic organisms
Researchers critically reviewed the methods used to quantify microplastics in aquatic organisms including zooplankton, bivalves, and fish. The study highlights that no standardized methodology exists for measuring microplastic contamination in biota, which makes comparing results across studies difficult and underscores the need for consistent analytical protocols.
Controlling Factors of Microplastic Riverine Flux and Implications for Reliable Monitoring Strategy
This review examines the controlling factors that determine microplastic flux from rivers to the sea, identifying hydrology, land use, river morphology, and sampling methodology as key variables, and arguing for standardized monitoring approaches to enable reliable riverine flux estimates.
A comparative analysis of global models for riverine plastic input to the ocean
Researchers compared existing global models estimating riverine plastic input to the ocean, identifying key sources of divergence including the number of rivers modelled, item-to-mass conversion factors, and extrapolation methods from microplastic to macroplastic estimates. The comparative analysis highlighted that modelling choices lead to substantial uncertainty in global plastic flux estimates, underscoring the need for a standardised science-policy framework to evaluate plastic pollution mitigation.
Snapshot Sampling May Not Be Enough to Obtain Robust Estimates for Riverine Microplastic Loads
Researchers investigated how sampling frequency affects estimates of microplastic loads in a stream receiving wastewater treatment plant effluent. The study found considerable hourly variation in microplastic concentrations, suggesting that infrequent snapshot sampling can lead to significant uncertainties in estimating riverine microplastic pollution loads.
A Methodology to Characterize Riverine Macroplastic Emission Into the Ocean
This paper presents a standardized methodology for measuring and characterizing macroplastic emissions from rivers into the ocean, addressing a major data gap in global plastic budget estimates. Consistent measurement frameworks are essential for understanding how much plastic enters the ocean from land-based sources via rivers.
Monitoring microplastic transport in the Rhine River
Scientists tracked tiny plastic particles flowing down the Rhine River in Germany for a year and found extremely high amounts - up to 460 tons of microplastics flowing past certain points annually. These microscopic plastic pieces come from everyday items like food packaging and clothing, and they're constantly moving from rivers into oceans where they can enter the food chain. This research helps us understand how much plastic pollution is traveling through major waterways, which is important for protecting both river ecosystems and the seafood we eat.
Microplastic concentrations, characteristics, and fluxes in water bodies of the Tollense catchment, Germany, with regard to different sampling systems
Researchers quantified microplastics larger than 20 µm in freshwater bodies of the Tollense catchment in northeastern Germany using in situ pump filtration, finding widespread contamination and highlighting how methodological differences — particularly sampling systems — make cross-study comparisons difficult. The study emphasizes the need for standardized microplastic sampling protocols in freshwater environments.
From source to sea: Floating macroplastic transport along the Rhine river
Researchers tracked floating macroplastic transport along the Rhine River to understand how much land-based plastic reaches the ocean. They found that plastic transport was highly variable and linked to rainfall and flood events, with much of the plastic being retained in the river system. The study provides important data for estimating how much riverine plastic eventually enters the North Sea.
A review of methods for measuring microplastics in aquatic environments
This review critically evaluates methods used to measure microplastics in aquatic environments, covering sampling design, sample processing, and spectroscopic identification, and identifies the most significant sources of methodological variation. Standardizing these methods is essential for generating comparable data across studies and enabling robust environmental risk assessment.