Microplastic hotspots in the Snake and Lower Columbia rivers: A journey from the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem to the Pacific Ocean

Kapp, Kirsten J.; Yeatman, Ellen

doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2018.06.033

Cited by 182 publications

(83 citation statements)

References 67 publications

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“…Concentrations of microplastics in water samples in the current study (0.44-9.70 particles/ m 3 ) are somewhat lower than a reported value for Brownlee Reservoir, another large reservoir in the western U.S. (13.7 particles/m 3 ; Snake River, Idaho/Oregon) [52]. Concentrations in water samples from the St. Croix and Mississippi Rivers (0.80-4.84 particles/m 3 ) [58], and from the much more urban Milwaukee Harbor and nearshore Lake Michigan (Wisconsin, USA; 0.21-5.23 particles/m 3 ) [60], were similar to those in the current study.…”

Section: Comparisons To Previous Studiescontrasting

confidence: 89%

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Microplastics in Lake Mead National Recreation Area, USA: Occurrence and biological uptake

et al. 2020

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Microplastics are an environmental contaminant of growing concern, but there is a lack of information about microplastic distribution, persistence, availability, and biological uptake in freshwater systems. This is especially true for large river systems like the Colorado River that spans multiple states through mostly rural and agricultural land use. This study characterized the quantity and morphology of microplastics in different environmental compartments in two large reservoirs along the Colorado River: Lakes Mead and Mohave, within Lake Mead National Recreation Area. To assess microplastic occurrence, surface water and surficial sediment were sampled at a total of nine locations. Sampling locations targeted different sub-basins with varying levels of anthropogenic impact. Las Vegas Wash, a tributary which delivers treated wastewater to Lake Mead, was also sampled. A sediment core (33 cm long, representing approximately 19 years) was extracted from Las Vegas Bay to assess changes in microplastic deposition over time. Striped bass (Morone saxatilis), common carp (Cyprinus carpio), quagga mussels (Dreissena bugensis), and Asian clams (Corbicula fluminea) were sampled at a subset of locations to assess biological uptake of microplastics. Microplastic concentrations were 0.44-9.7 particles/cubic meter at the water surface and 87.5-1,010 particles/kilogram dry weight (kg dw) at the sediment surface. Sediment core concentrations were 220-2,040 particles/kg dw, with no clear increasing or decreasing trend over time. Shellfish microplastic concentrations ranged from 2.7-105 particles/organism, and fish concentrations ranged from 0-19 particles/organism. Fibers were the most abundant particle type found in all sample types. Although sample numbers are small, microplastic concentrations appear to be higher in areas of greater anthropogenic impact. Results from this study improve our understanding of the occurrence and biological uptake of microplastics in Lake Mead National Recreation Area, and help fill existing knowledge gaps on microplastics in freshwater environments in the southwestern U.S.

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Section: Comparisons To Previous Studiescontrasting

confidence: 89%

“…As with other studies of microplastics in freshwater [6,[50][51][52], in this study fibers were the most abundant microplastic type in all environmental compartments. Whereas fragments, films, and foams were more commonly found at locations with greater anthropogenic impact, fibers were ubiquitous across all locations.…”

Section: Plos Onesupporting

confidence: 86%

Microplastics in Lake Mead National Recreation Area, USA: Occurrence and biological uptake

et al. 2020

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“…Dris et al () observed high microplastic concentrations in rivers (3–106 particles m −3 ), attributed to urban inputs such as treatment plant discharges. Kapp and Yeatman () reported microplastic concentrations in surface waters from the 1735 km Snake and 523 km lower Columbia Rivers (U.S.). They reported higher levels in areas adjacent to agricultural areas, possibly due to the use of biosolid fertilizers or plastic mulches.…”

Section: Microplastics In Freshwatersmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Global Perspective on Microplastics

Hale¹,

Seeley²,

Guardia³

et al. 2020

JGR Oceans

673

270

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Society has become increasingly reliant on plastics since commercial production began in about 1950. Their versatility, stability, light weight, and low production costs have fueled global demand. Most plastics are initially used and discarded on land. Nonetheless, the amount of microplastics in some oceanic compartments is predicted to double by 2030. To solve this global problem, we must understand plastic composition, physical forms, uses, transport, and fragmentation into microplastics (and nanoplastics). Plastic debris/microplastics arise from land disposal, wastewater treatment, tire wear, paint failure, textile washing, and at-sea losses. Riverine and atmospheric transport, storm water, and disasters facilitate releases. In surface waters plastics/microplastics weather, biofoul, aggregate, and sink, are ingested by organisms and redistributed by currents. Ocean sediments are likely the ultimate destination. Plastics release additives, concentrate environmental contaminants, and serve as substrates for biofilms, including exotic and pathogenic species. Microplastic abundance increases as fragment size decreases, as does the proportion of organisms capable of ingesting them. Particles <20 μm may penetrate cell membranes, exacerbating risks. Exposure can compromise feeding, metabolic processes, reproduction, and behavior. But more investigation is required to draw definitive conclusions. Human ingestion of contaminated seafood and water is a concern. Microplastics indoors present yet uncharacterized risks, magnified by the time we spend inside (>90%) and the abundance of polymeric products therein. Scientific challenges include improving microplastic sampling and characterization approaches, understanding long-term behavior, additive bioavailability, and organismal and ecosystem health risks. Solutions include improving globally based pollution prevention, developing degradable polymers and additives, and reducing consumption/expanding plastic reuse.

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“…An abundance of microfibers have been found in aquatic (freshwater and marine) and terrestrial environments worldwide [7][8][9][10][11]. Recent studies have observed microplastics, the majority of which were microfibers, in the French Pyrenees, the Italian Alps and in snow samples from the Arctic [12,13].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Electric clothes dryers: An underestimated source of microfiber pollution

Kapp

Miller²

2020

PLoS ONE

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Microplastics, particularly microfibers, are ubiquitous, found in aquatic (freshwater and marine) and terrestrial environments and within the food web worldwide. It is well-established that microplastics in the form of textile fibers enter the environment via washing machines and wastewater treatment effluent. Less is known about the release of microfibers from electric clothes dryers. In this study we measure microfiber emissions from home installed dryers at two different sites. At each site the distribution of fibers landing on the snow's surface outside dryer vents and the weight of lint in dryer exhaust exiting dryer vents were measured. Fibers from the pink polyester fleece blankets used in this study were found in plots throughout a 30ft (9.14m) radius from the dryer vents, with an average number across all plots of 404 ± 192 (SD) (Site 1) and 1,169 ± 606 (SD) (Site 2). The majority of the fibers collected were located within 5 ft (1.52m) of the vents. Averages of 35 ± 16(SD)mg (Site 1) and 70 ± 77 (SD)mg (Site 2) of lint from three consecutive dry cycles were collected from dryer vent exhaust. This study establishes that electric clothes dryers emit masses of microfiber directly into the environment. Microfiber emissions vary based on dryer type, age, vent installation and lint trap characteristics. Therefore, dryers should be included in discussions when considering strategies, policies and innovations to prevent and mitigate microfiber pollution.

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Microplastic hotspots in the Snake and Lower Columbia rivers: A journey from the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem to the Pacific Ocean

Cited by 182 publications

References 67 publications

Microplastics in Lake Mead National Recreation Area, USA: Occurrence and biological uptake

Microplastics in Lake Mead National Recreation Area, USA: Occurrence and biological uptake

A Global Perspective on Microplastics

Electric clothes dryers: An underestimated source of microfiber pollution

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