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Papers
20 resultsShowing papers similar to Microplastics in Austrian rivers
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.
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 review on microplastics in major European rivers
This review summarizes existing research on microplastic contamination in six major European rivers, finding polystyrene, polypropylene, and polyethylene as the most common types. The researchers noted significant inconsistencies between studies due to different sampling and analysis methods, making it difficult to compare results or assess true contamination levels. Standardizing how scientists measure microplastics in rivers is essential for understanding the real scope of contamination in European freshwater supplies.
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.
Isolation of Microplastics from Freshwater Macroinvertebrates in the Danube River
Researchers isolated microplastics from three freshwater species — mollusks, worms, and midge larvae — collected from the Danube River during a major scientific survey. Using different organism types as biological monitors showed that microplastic contamination is widespread in the river's aquatic ecosystem.
Quantitative and qualitative analysis of microplastic pollution in a large European river
Researchers sampled the Budapest reach of the Danube River at multiple water column depths using a Multilevel Manta net, finding an average microplastic concentration of 0.311 mg/m³ (142 particles/m³) dominated by polystyrene, polyethylene, and polypropylene fragments, and estimating substantial microplastic mass flux that underscores the Danube's role as a major transport pathway for plastic pollution.
Microplastics in the Danube River and Its Main Tributaries—Ingestion by Freshwater Macroinvertebrates
Researchers measured microplastic concentrations in the Danube River and its major tributaries and analyzed ingestion by freshwater fish species collected from multiple sites. Microplastics were detected in a significant proportion of fish, with ingestion rates correlating with local plastic contamination levels, documenting widespread plastic exposure across the Danube watershed's fish communities.
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.
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.
Microplastic pollution in the German aquatic environment: Existence, interactions and research needs
This review examines microplastic pollution in German waterways and wastewater treatment plants, finding concentrations as high as 11,050 particles per liter in rivers. Fibers were the most common shape, and polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene were the dominant polymer types, mostly coming from municipal and industrial wastewater. The authors highlight that despite being Europe's largest economy, Germany has surprisingly limited research on this issue and call for standardized measurement methods.
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.
Sampling and processing methods of microplastics in river sediments - A review
This review summarizes and evaluates sampling and processing methods for detecting microplastics in river sediments, which are less studied than marine sediments. It identifies inconsistencies across studies in mesh size, extraction technique, and analytical methods as key barriers to comparing microplastic data across river systems globally.
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.
Riverine microplastic contamination in southwest Germany: A large-scale survey
A large-scale survey of microplastic contamination across multiple rivers in southwest Germany found that contamination increased from headwaters to lowland sections and was elevated downstream of urban areas and wastewater treatment plant discharges. Fibers dominated in all rivers, and the study highlighted rivers as both pathways and temporary sinks for microplastics.
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.
Understanding the spatio-temporal behaviour of riverine plastic transport and its significance for flux determination: insights from direct measurements in the Austrian Danube River
This study analyzed the spatio-temporal behavior of plastic transport in rivers, examining how flow conditions, catchment characteristics, and seasonal variation influence plastic flux and retention within river 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.
Microplastics in Polish Inland Waters: CurrentKnowledge, Methodological Limitations,and Research Needs
Researchers reviewed 33 studies on microplastic contamination in Polish rivers, lakes, and groundwater, finding concentrations ranging from 0 to 280 particles per liter in water and up to 120,000 particles per kilogram in sediments. The review highlights that inconsistent sampling and identification methods make it nearly impossible to compare results across studies, calling for standardized national monitoring.
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.
Comparative assessment of microplastics in water and sediment of a large European river
Researchers quantified microplastics in both water and sediment of the German river Elbe using three complementary methods (visual inspection, FTIR spectroscopy, and pyrolysis-GC/MS), finding that different methods detected different particle fractions and that sediment concentrations were far higher than water.