Environmental Engineering Science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown
Published: Oct. 10, 2024
Microplastics are ubiquitous environmental pollutants, yet little is known about their transport and distribution in large rivers. This study quantified characterized microplastics under varying flow conditions throughout the water column of Mississippi River (United States). Temporal samples were collected from river's surface at St. Louis, Missouri, every ∼4 days during a historic flood 2019 (n = 21) biweekly lower 2019–2020 7). The microplastic concentrations (6.0 ± 3.0 counts/L) compositions (predominantly fibers that frequently clear, blue, black, red) our temporal did not fluctuate as function discharge or other indicators new inputs (e.g., specific conductivity turbidity). When we assessed River's 10) East Alton, Illinois, found amounts (7.0 3.5 assemblages (mostly red fibers) similar to time series samples. We observed no relationship between velocity abundances across channel. Instead, quantities near developed bank with heavy barge traffic higher than those opposite, forested bank. Localized variations land use may thus explain minor differences river. change depth. Nevertheless, saw some evidence deeper samples, which potentially consequence dissimilarities polymer buoyancy. Microplastic chemostasis homogeneity sites event contrast prior observations changing perturbations. Our results therefore indicate variable processes river scale could be applicable additional segments systems.
Language: Английский