Papers

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Article Tier 2

Spatial analysis of riverine microplastic in a Rhine floodplain soil in Germany

Researchers mapped microplastic distribution in floodplain soils along Germany's Rhine River, finding that flood events spread microplastics far from the riverbank into surrounding land. This shows flooding can contaminate agricultural soils with microplastics, potentially entering food crops.

2021
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in floodplain soils along the rhine river in germany

Researchers characterized microplastic pollution in floodplain soils along the Rhine River in Germany, focusing on this understudied habitat at the interface of terrestrial and freshwater systems to understand how rivers act as vectors for microplastic transport and deposition.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in floodplain soils along the rhine river in germany

Researchers quantified microplastic pollution in floodplain soils along the Rhine River in Germany, examining how this transitional environment between terrestrial and freshwater systems accumulates plastics transported during flood events. The study addressed a gap in knowledge about floodplain soils compared to more commonly studied agricultural soils.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Multi-method analysis of microplastic distribution by flood frequency and local topography in Rhine floodplains

Researchers used multiple analytical methods to examine how flood frequency and local topography influence microplastic distribution in Rhine River floodplains. The study found that floods can mobilize, transport, and redeposit microplastics in floodplain sediments, making these areas both temporary sinks and potential sources of microplastic pollution.

2024 The Science of The Total Environment 16 citations
Article Tier 2

Flooding frequency and floodplain topography determine abundance of microplastics in an alluvial Rhine soil

Researchers found that flooding frequency and local floodplain topography are key determinants of microplastic abundance in alluvial Rhine soils, with frequently flooded low-lying areas accumulating significantly more microplastics than elevated sites.

2022 The Science of The Total Environment 81 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic retention during a flood event by floodplain vegetation and their infiltration into the Rhine floodplain soil

Scientists found that when rivers flood, tiny plastic particles get trapped by plants and then sink deep into floodplain soil, with the highest concentrations found in the top 15-18 inches of soil. Thicker, more complex vegetation captures more of these microplastics from floodwater, but the plastics don't stay on the surface—smaller pieces move deeper underground through soil cracks and animal burrows. This matters because floodplains near rivers may be accumulating microplastics that could potentially affect soil health and crops grown in these areas.

2026
Article Tier 2

Spatial patterns of mesoplastics and coarse microplastics in floodplain soils as resulting from land use and fluvial processes

Plastic particles were found throughout floodplain soils along the Lahn River in Germany down to 2 meters depth, with higher concentrations near river channels and on riparian grassland than on farmland. The study provides early evidence that river flooding distributes plastics vertically into soil profiles over time.

2020 Environmental Pollution 166 citations
Article Tier 2

Deposition and in-situ translocation of microplastics in floodplain soils

A study of microplastic deposition and in-situ vertical translocation in floodplain soils found that flooding events deposit microplastics from river water onto floodplain surfaces, and that subsequent rainfall and bioturbation can move particles downward through the soil profile.

2021 The Science of The Total Environment 68 citations
Article Tier 2

Filter effect of Rhine floodplain vegetation on microplastic deposition during a single flood event in Germany

Researchers examined the role of floodplain vegetation in controlling microplastic deposition during a single Rhine River flood event in Germany, finding that vegetation cover acts as a physical filter affecting spatial distribution of deposited microplastics beyond the topographic and flood-frequency controls identified in previous studies.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Vertical distribution and post-depositional translocation of microplastics in a Rhine floodplain soil

Researchers analyzed a 110-centimeter-deep soil profile from a German river floodplain and found microplastics at every depth, including in layers deposited before the 1950s, suggesting earthworms and plant roots transported particles downward over time. This vertical movement means small microplastics travel deeper into soils than previously thought and complicates using them as markers for recent human impact.

2025 Microplastics and Nanoplastics 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Deposition and in-situ translocation of microplastics in floodplain soils

This study examined how microplastics deposit and move through floodplain soils during flooding events, finding that floods both deposit and redistribute microplastics in agricultural and riparian soils. The findings help explain how microplastic pollution spreads from rivers into surrounding terrestrial environments.

2021 10 citations
Article Tier 2

Filter effect of Rhine floodplain vegetation on microplastic deposition during a single flood event in Germany

Researchers studied how Rhine floodplain vegetation filtered microplastic deposition during a single flood event in Germany, documenting that plant cover created distinct spatial deposition patterns and acted as a significant physical barrier concentrating particles compared to unvegetated floodplain surfaces.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Why analysing microplastics in floodplains matters: application in a sedimentary context

This study examined microplastic distribution and accumulation in floodplain areas of Germany, finding that floodplains trap and concentrate microplastics during flood events and serve as long-term storage sites. Floodplains are an important but underappreciated environmental compartment for microplastic accumulation that can release particles back into rivers during future floods.

2020 Environmental Science Processes & Impacts 52 citations
Article Tier 2

Spatial heterogeneity and vertical redistribution of microplastics in floodplain soils

Scientists found that tiny plastic particles are building up in floodplain soils along rivers, with the highest concentrations in low-lying areas that flood frequently. These microplastics don't just stay on the surface—they're also moving deeper into the soil over time. This matters because floodplain soils are often used for farming, and we're still learning how microplastics in agricultural soil might affect our food supply and health.

2026
Article Tier 2

The role of floodplain vegetation in filtering microplastics during a major Rhine flood event

Researchers investigated microplastic deposition on Rhine floodplain vegetation during a major flood event, finding that floodplain vegetation significantly increases hydraulic roughness and reduces flow velocities, enhancing MP capture and acting as an important filter for microplastics remobilized from the riverbed during high-discharge events.

2025
Article Tier 2

Macroplastic retention on river floodplains following flood events

Researchers examined macroplastic retention on river floodplains following flood events, quantifying how much plastic debris is deposited beyond river channels during high-flow conditions and assessing remobilization potential. The study provided data supporting the role of floodplains as significant sinks and secondary sources of macroplastics in riverine transport to the sea.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in Swiss Floodplain Soils

Researchers surveyed Swiss floodplain soils and found microplastics present across multiple sites, suggesting that floodplain dynamics — periodic inundation and sediment deposition — contribute to microplastic accumulation in terrestrial environments.

2018 Environmental Science & Technology 1231 citations
Article Tier 2

Data and code for the publication "Flooding frequency and floodplain topography determine abundance of microplastics in an alluvial Rhine soil"

This is a companion data and code repository for the same Rhine floodplain microplastic study. The dataset covers soil properties and microplastic abundance measured at multiple depths and locations across the floodplain near Cologne, Germany.

2023 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Macroplastic concentrations in the water column of the river Rhine increase with higher discharge

Researchers used trawl nets at multiple depths in the Rhine River to track macroplastic pollution in the water column, finding that plastic concentrations rise sharply during high river discharge (flooding). During low-flow conditions, plastics accumulated near the riverbed, revealing that hydrology plays a key role in where and how much plastic moves through river systems.

2023 The Science of The Total Environment 20 citations
Article Tier 2

Data and code for the publication "Flooding frequency and floodplain topography determine abundance of microplastics in an alluvial Rhine soil"

This is a data and code repository for a published study on how flooding frequency and floodplain topography determine microplastic abundance in Rhine River floodplain soils. Floodplains act as microplastic sinks and sources, with regular flooding events redistributing plastic particles across agricultural and natural landscapes.

2023 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Macroplastic retention on river floodplains following flood events

Researchers investigated macroplastic retention dynamics on river floodplains following flood events, examining how elevated flows transport and deposit plastic debris beyond the main channel. The study quantified floodplain retention relative to channel retention and assessed how flood magnitude influences remobilization and downstream delivery of plastics toward the sea.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Meso- and microplastic distribution and spatial connections to heavy metal contaminations in highly cultivated and urbanised floodplain soilscapes – a case study from the Nidda River (Germany)

Researchers used a geospatial sampling approach along the Nidda River in Germany to map the distribution of meso- and microplastics and heavy metals in floodplain soils, combining ICP-MS elemental analysis with fluorescence identification and ATR-FTIR polymer characterization. They found that plastics accumulated in uppermost soil layers while heavy metals were enriched at greater depths, indicating distinct sources and deposition histories, with plastic enrichment ranging from 0 to 35.82 particles per kilogram.

2022 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Spatial Connections between Microplastics and Heavy Metal Pollution within Floodplain Soils

Researchers investigated the spatial relationship between microplastic contamination and heavy metal pollution in floodplain soils. They found that microplastics and heavy metals co-occur in these environments and that their distribution patterns are linked to flooding events and sediment deposition. The study suggests that floodplains act as temporary sinks where these pollutants accumulate together, potentially compounding their environmental impact.

2022 Applied Sciences 45 citations
Article Tier 2

Meso- and microplastic distribution and spatial connections to metal contaminations in highly cultivated and urbanised floodplain soilscapes – a case study from the Nidda River (Germany)

Researchers mapped meso- and microplastic distribution in floodplain soils along the Nidda River in Germany and found spatial correlations with trace metal contamination. Results suggest that both plastics and metals accumulate together in sediment sinks, with urbanization and proximity to industrial sites driving contamination hotspots.

2022 Microplastics and Nanoplastics 11 citations