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20 resultsShowing papers similar to Microplastic content variation in water column: The observations employing a novel sampling tool in stratified Baltic Sea
ClearMicroplastics accumulate to thin layers in the stratified Baltic Sea
Researchers found that microplastics accumulate preferentially at density-driven stratification layers (halocline and thermocline) in the Baltic Sea, demonstrating that water column stratification significantly influences microplastic vertical distribution and may concentrate particles at biologically active depth boundaries.
Trapping of Microplastics in Halocline and Turbidity Layers of the Semi-enclosed Baltic Sea
Microplastic vertical distribution in the semi-enclosed Baltic Sea was investigated, finding that the distinct salinity-driven halocline trapped microplastics at density transition layers, demonstrating that water column stratification is a significant factor controlling microplastic depth profiles in enclosed seas.
Profiling the Vertical Transport of Microplastics in the West Pacific Ocean and the East Indian Ocean with a Novel in Situ Filtration Technique
Researchers developed a novel large-volume in situ filtration technique sampling 10 cubic meters of seawater to profile microplastic vertical transport in the West Pacific Ocean and East Indian Ocean, finding that conventional small-volume methods substantially underestimate deep-water microplastic abundance.
Anthropogenic fibres in the Baltic Sea water column: Field data, laboratory and numerical testing of their motion
Analysis of water column samples from the Baltic Sea found that synthetic fibers were by far the most common type of microplastic, detected at concentrations from just below the surface down to depth. The study provides detailed vertical distribution data for microplastic fibers in a semi-enclosed sea and includes laboratory tests on how different fiber types behave in seawater.
Does water column stratification influence the vertical distribution of microplastics?
Researchers investigated whether water column stratification affects the vertical distribution of microplastics in the Kattegat and Skagerrak seas near Denmark. They found that microplastic concentrations were significantly higher below the pycnocline, the boundary layer between water masses of different densities. The study suggests that density-driven stratification acts as a barrier that traps microplastics in deeper water layers, which has important implications for understanding marine pollution distribution.
Spatiotemporal Variability of Microplastics in the Eastern Baltic Sea
Researchers documented spatiotemporal variability of microplastics in the eastern Baltic Sea over five years, finding concentrations ranging from 0.01 to 2.45 particles per cubic meter with patterns linked to proximity to urban areas and riverine inputs.
A novel method enabling the accurate quantification of microplastics in the water column of deep ocean
A new sampling method was developed to accurately measure microplastics in the deep ocean water column, addressing gaps left by traditional net trawls that miss very small particles. Reliable deep-sea sampling is critical since the deep ocean is thought to be a major sink for global microplastic pollution.
Diving into the Depths: Uncovering Microplastics in Norwegian Coastal Sediment Cores
Researchers analyzed microplastic vertical distribution in sediment cores from five sites along the Norwegian coast extending to Arctic waters, filling a gap in high-resolution depth profile data for European and Arctic sediments. Microplastics were found throughout core depths with concentrations generally increasing toward the surface in patterns reflecting historical plastic production growth.
Elucidating the vertical transport of microplastics in the water column: A review of sampling methodologies and distributions
This review synthesized sampling methodologies and findings on microplastic vertical distribution in the water column, identifying that surface trawl studies dramatically underestimate total water column burdens and that sinking behavior, biofouling, and hydrodynamic processes create complex depth-dependent distribution patterns.
Microplastics in Harbour Seawaters: A Case Study in the Port of Gdynia, Baltic Sea
Microplastics were measured in five basins of the Port of Gdynia in the Baltic Sea across four seasons, finding concentrations of 0.082-0.524 mg per cubic meter, with polyolefins dominant and fragments and fibres the most common shapes in harbour surface waters.
Plastics from Surface to Seabed: Vertical Distribution of (Micro)plastic Particles in the North Pacific Ocean
Researchers investigated the vertical distribution of microplastics across the water column and deep-sea sediments (>5 km) in the North Pacific Ocean, finding concentrations of 8-2600 items/m3 in the water column and 1100-3200 items/kg in sediments, with distinct patterns across the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre, Papahanaumokuakea Monument, and a less-polluted open ocean site.
Difference in the fate of surface and subsurface microplastics: an example for open and coastal waters
Researchers compared the behavior of surface and subsurface microplastics in open ocean and coastal waters, finding that vertical mixing and biological processes move substantial quantities of plastic below the surface. Subsurface sampling revealed microplastics that would be missed by surface net tows alone. The findings suggest that surface-based microplastic monitoring significantly underestimates the total plastic burden in the ocean water column.
Factors influencing the spatial and temporal distribution of microplastics at the sea surface – A year-long monitoring case study from the urban Kiel Fjord, southwest Baltic Sea
Researchers conducted a year-long monthly survey of microplastic abundance at eight sites within and around Kiel Fjord in the Baltic Sea, finding an overall low and stable load of 0.04 particles per square meter compared to other urban coastal areas. No strong relationship was found between microplastic abundance and weather parameters, though unusually high counts consistently followed rainfall and snowmelt events linked to storm drain inputs.
Microplastics in the Arctic: a transect through the Barents Sea
Researchers collected large-volume sub-surface water samples along transects through the Barents Sea to quantify and characterize microplastics, examining the role of regional ocean currents in concentrating plastic debris. The study contributes baseline data on microplastic distribution in this productive Arctic marginal sea mooted as a potential sixth ocean gyre for plastic accumulation.
Microplastics in the Water Column of Western Lake Superior
Researchers sampled the pelagic water column and air-water interface at four locations in western Lake Superior to characterize the presence and depth distribution of microplastics under both stratified and unstratified seasonal conditions. Results confirmed microplastics are present throughout the Lake Superior water column, revealing that surface-only sampling significantly underestimates total microplastic loads in this Great Lakes system.
Microplastic Distribution through the Salinity Gradient in a Stratified Estuary
Researchers collected microplastics from 12 sampling events across the salinity gradient of the highly stratified Krka River estuary in Croatia, finding that surface layers contained the highest abundance at 3.68 particles per cubic meter while deep marine layers held only 0.13 particles per cubic meter, with small particles under 1 mm dominating throughout the water column.
Unraveling the Marine Microplastic Cycle: The First Simultaneous Data Set for Air, Sea Surface Microlayer, and Underlying Water
Researchers simultaneously sampled air, the sea surface microlayer, and underlying water in Swedish fjords to map microplastic distribution across the marine-atmospheric boundary for the first time. They found tire wear particles predominantly in the surface microlayer, while poly(methyl methacrylate) clusters dominated deeper water. The study shows that microplastic levels were higher in urban and industrial fjord areas compared to rural ones, and that polymer distribution patterns are influenced by both particle characteristics and environmental conditions.
The vertical distribution and biological transport of marine microplastics across the epipelagic and mesopelagic water column
Remotely operated vehicles and custom samplers were used to collect microplastics from depths of 5–1000 m in Monterey Bay, finding that microplastic concentrations in mesopelagic waters (200–600 m depth) were comparable to or higher than surface concentrations. The study demonstrates that the deep ocean is not merely a sink but an active reservoir of microplastics vertically transported by biological organisms.
Vertical Stratification and Driving Factors of Microplastics in the South China Sea: Distributions, Mechanisms, and Ecological Risks
Researchers collected water samples from 15 stations across the South China Sea to map the vertical distribution of microplastics through the water column. They found that depth, ocean currents, and biological activity strongly influenced microplastic stratification, with ecological risk higher in surface and subsurface layers.
Vertical distribution of microplastics in the Western Pacific Warm Pool: In situ results comparison of different sampling method
Researchers explored microplastic pollution at different ocean depths in the Western Pacific Warm Pool, comparing results from two different sampling methods used simultaneously. They found discrepancies between CTD water samplers and large-volume in-situ filtration systems, highlighting the methodological challenges of deep-sea microplastic research. The study provides new data on the vertical distribution of microplastics in a poorly studied region of the open ocean.