Transport of (Micro)plastic Within a River Cross-Section—Spatio-Temporal Variations and Loads
Despite substantial research, the spatio-temporal dynamics of microplastic fluxes remain underexplored, especially in lower-order rivers. This study aims to quantify microplastic loads using a spatio-temporal sampling approach in a single cross-section of the Lahn River, a typical low-mountain river...
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MDPI AG
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Microplastics |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-8929/3/4/47 |
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| author | Peter Chifflard Thorsten Nather Collin J. Weber |
| author_facet | Peter Chifflard Thorsten Nather Collin J. Weber |
| author_sort | Peter Chifflard |
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| description | Despite substantial research, the spatio-temporal dynamics of microplastic fluxes remain underexplored, especially in lower-order rivers. This study aims to quantify microplastic loads using a spatio-temporal sampling approach in a single cross-section of the Lahn River, a typical low-mountain river in Central Germany, over a sampling period from July 2020 to April 2021, covering varying discharge conditions, from low to high flow. A total of 198 plastic particles were detected, averaging 3.67 particles per hour, with a mean microplastic load of 0.03 ± 0.027 particles per cubic metre. Microplastic abundance varied spatially within the river cross-section, with lower concentrations found at deeper sampling positions. The data indicate that higher discharge conditions correlate with increased microplastic loads, predominantly at the water surface, suggesting that hydrological conditions significantly influence plastic transport dynamics. However, it remains unclear whether the microplastics observed at higher discharges originate from additional sources or are reactivated from river sediments. This research highlights the need for further studies to validate model assumptions and better understand the reactivation and transport mechanisms of microplastics in river systems. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-0472769a10da4fc19eff69b1864de35d |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2673-8929 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Microplastics |
| spelling | doaj-art-0472769a10da4fc19eff69b1864de35d2025-08-20T02:01:10ZengMDPI AGMicroplastics2673-89292024-12-013475577010.3390/microplastics3040047Transport of (Micro)plastic Within a River Cross-Section—Spatio-Temporal Variations and LoadsPeter Chifflard0Thorsten Nather1Collin J. Weber2Department of Geography, Philipps-University Marburg, Deutschhausstraße 10, 35037 Marburg, GermanyDepartment of Geography, Philipps-University Marburg, Deutschhausstraße 10, 35037 Marburg, GermanyDepartment of Geography, Philipps-University Marburg, Deutschhausstraße 10, 35037 Marburg, GermanyDespite substantial research, the spatio-temporal dynamics of microplastic fluxes remain underexplored, especially in lower-order rivers. This study aims to quantify microplastic loads using a spatio-temporal sampling approach in a single cross-section of the Lahn River, a typical low-mountain river in Central Germany, over a sampling period from July 2020 to April 2021, covering varying discharge conditions, from low to high flow. A total of 198 plastic particles were detected, averaging 3.67 particles per hour, with a mean microplastic load of 0.03 ± 0.027 particles per cubic metre. Microplastic abundance varied spatially within the river cross-section, with lower concentrations found at deeper sampling positions. The data indicate that higher discharge conditions correlate with increased microplastic loads, predominantly at the water surface, suggesting that hydrological conditions significantly influence plastic transport dynamics. However, it remains unclear whether the microplastics observed at higher discharges originate from additional sources or are reactivated from river sediments. This research highlights the need for further studies to validate model assumptions and better understand the reactivation and transport mechanisms of microplastics in river systems.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-8929/3/4/47microplasticshydrologyLahn Riverfluvial transportfloodlow flow |
| spellingShingle | Peter Chifflard Thorsten Nather Collin J. Weber Transport of (Micro)plastic Within a River Cross-Section—Spatio-Temporal Variations and Loads Microplastics microplastics hydrology Lahn River fluvial transport flood low flow |
| title | Transport of (Micro)plastic Within a River Cross-Section—Spatio-Temporal Variations and Loads |
| title_full | Transport of (Micro)plastic Within a River Cross-Section—Spatio-Temporal Variations and Loads |
| title_fullStr | Transport of (Micro)plastic Within a River Cross-Section—Spatio-Temporal Variations and Loads |
| title_full_unstemmed | Transport of (Micro)plastic Within a River Cross-Section—Spatio-Temporal Variations and Loads |
| title_short | Transport of (Micro)plastic Within a River Cross-Section—Spatio-Temporal Variations and Loads |
| title_sort | transport of micro plastic within a river cross section spatio temporal variations and loads |
| topic | microplastics hydrology Lahn River fluvial transport flood low flow |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-8929/3/4/47 |
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