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Papers
20 resultsShowing papers similar to Assessing diversity, abundance, and mass of microplastics (~ 1–300 μm) in aquatic systems
ClearAssessing the Lost Fraction: Diversity, Abundance, and Mass of Microplastics (1-300 µm) in Aquatic Systems
Researchers developed a protocol to quantify microplastics as small as 1 µm in aquatic systems, enabling polymer identification, particle volume estimation, and mass calculation. Sampling in Great South Bay, NY, revealed that particles in the 1-6 µm size range were most abundant, comprising approximately 75% of all detected microplastics, highlighting the importance of capturing this frequently overlooked small fraction.
Are We Underestimating Microplastic Contamination in Aquatic Environments?
This review argues that current microplastic monitoring methods likely underestimate the true extent of contamination in aquatic environments, especially for small particles and fibers. The authors call for standardized, more sensitive detection methods to better inform regulation and risk assessment.
Are we underestimating microplastic abundance in the marine environment? A comparison of microplastic capture with nets of different mesh-size
By sampling marine water simultaneously with 333 µm and finer nets, researchers demonstrated that standard 333 µm sampling nets miss the majority of microplastics present, with finer nets capturing orders of magnitude more particles and revealing severe underestimation in existing abundance data.
A systematic study of the microplastic burden in freshwater fishes of south-western Germany - Are we searching at the right scale?
A comprehensive survey of 1,167 freshwater fish from 22 species across 11 rivers and 6 lakes in southwestern Germany found an apparent microplastic prevalence of 18.8%, but particle size analysis revealed that over 95% of particles were likely smaller than the 40 μm detection limit, suggesting true prevalence may reach 100% with an average of ~23 particles per fish. The findings challenge the validity of most existing microplastic surveys in fish, which miss the smallest and most abundant fraction.
Microplastics in Natural Water: Sources and Determination
This paper reviews the sources of microplastic pollution in aquatic environments and the analytical methods used to characterize and quantify microplastic particles, covering sampling, extraction, and identification techniques relevant to freshwater and marine monitoring.
Closing the gap between small and smaller: towards a framework to analyse nano- and microplastics in aqueous environmental samples
This paper proposes an analytical framework for measuring both nano- and microplastics across a broad size spectrum in water samples, addressing the gap between methods optimized for either large microplastics or nanoparticles. A unified size-spanning approach is needed to fully characterize plastic pollution in aquatic environments where particles across many orders of magnitude coexist.
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.
A Systematic Review of Microplastic Detection in Water
This systematic review summarizes current methods for detecting microplastics in water sources. The research highlights significant challenges in accurately measuring these tiny plastic particles, with different techniques yielding very different results. Better detection methods are essential for understanding how much microplastic is present in the water people drink and use daily.
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.
Differences in microplastic distributions on the surface freshwater collected using 100– and 355–μm meshes
Researchers compared microplastic distributions measured using 100-micrometer and 355-micrometer mesh nets in Japanese freshwater, finding that the finer mesh captured significantly more and smaller particles. The choice of sampling mesh size substantially affects the measured abundance and size distribution of microplastics in water.
Microplastics as contaminants in freshwater environments: A multidisciplinary review
This multidisciplinary review covers microplastic sources, abundance, composition, transport, and biological effects in freshwater systems globally, arguing that freshwater environments are both major conduits and sinks for microplastic pollution.
Micro/nanoplastics in aquatic ecosystems: Analytical challenges, ecological impacts, and mitigation strategies
This review provides a comprehensive assessment of micro- and nanoplastic pollution in aquatic ecosystems, covering detection methods, toxic effects across the food chain, and emerging cleanup strategies. Researchers highlight the limitations of current analytical techniques and the challenges of accurately measuring these tiny particles in water and living organisms. The study identifies key research priorities needed to better understand and mitigate the growing threat of plastic particle pollution in waterways.
Recent occurrence of microplastics in freshwater and efficiency of available treatment technologies
Researchers reviewed six years of global data on microplastics in freshwater systems, finding them in rivers, lakes, and groundwater across five continents, with conventional water treatment removing 85–95% of larger particles but struggling with smaller fragments. The review also found that nanoplastics may be 10–100 times more common than microplastics yet remain nearly impossible to detect with current technology.
Evaluation of vertical distribution characteristics of microplastics under 20 μm in lake and river waters in South Korea
Researchers developed a method for measuring very small microplastics (under 20 µm) in lake and river waters in South Korea and found they were widely distributed across different depths. Smaller microplastics are harder to sample and are largely missed by standard net-based methods. The study emphasizes that conventional monitoring approaches likely undercount microplastic contamination in freshwater systems.
Updated review on microplastics in water, their occurrence, detection, measurement, environmental pollution, and the need for regulatory standards
This review examines microplastic occurrence, detection methods, and measurement techniques in aquatic environments, highlighting the urgent need for explicit regulatory frameworks to address the growing threat of microplastic pollution in water systems.
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.
Microplastic analysis in urban areas and their impact on quality of life
Researchers reviewed the growing threat of microplastic pollution to biodiversity and human health, focusing on freshwater systems as a key exposure pathway. The study emphasizes the need for standardized identification methods for microplastics in freshwater environments.
The importance of ensuring representative sample volumes in microplastic monitoring - A predictive methodology
Analysis of a global database of 1,603 marine and 208 freshwater microplastic observations found that sample volume strongly influences reported concentrations, and a predictive methodology was developed to ensure representative sampling and enable meaningful cross-study comparisons.
Size Distributions of Microplastics in the St Louis Estuary and Western Lake Superior
Researchers mapped the sizes, shapes, and types of microplastics in western Lake Superior and its harbor, finding roughly similar overall counts but meaningful differences in composition. Harbor samples near urban areas had larger particles and more diverse plastic types, while standard counting methods significantly underestimated the smallest particles (under 45 micrometers), highlighting gaps in how we measure microplastic pollution in freshwater.
Microplastics in aquatic systems: A review of occurrence, monitoring and potential environmental risks
Researchers review the presence of microplastics — tiny plastic fragments less than 5 mm — across freshwater and marine environments worldwide, finding that polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene are the most commonly detected types. Exposure disrupts feeding, movement, and reproduction in aquatic wildlife, and the authors call for standardized measurement methods and legal limits to protect ecosystems.