Systematic Analysis of the Relative Abundance of Polymers Occurring as Microplastics in Freshwaters and Estuaries

Abstract

Despite growing interest in the environmental impact of microplastics, a standardized characterization method is not available. We carried out a systematic analysis of reliable global data detailing the relative abundance of polymers in freshwaters and estuaries. The polymers were identified according to seven main categories: polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyurethane and a final category of miscellaneous plastic. The results show that microplastics comprised of polyvinyl chloride and polyurethane are significantly less abundant than would be expected based on global production, possibly due to their use. This has implications for models of microplastic release into the environment based on production and fate. When analysed by matrix (water, sediment or biota) distinct profiles were obtained for each category. Polyethylene, polypropylene and polystyrene were more abundant in sediment than in biota, while miscellaneous plastics was more frequent in biota. The data suggest that environmental sorting of microplastic particles, influenced by physical, chemical and biological processes, may play a key role in environmental impact, although partitioning among matrices based on density was not realized. The distinct profile of microplastics in biota raises an important question regarding potential selectivity in uptake by organisms, highlighting the priority for more and better-informed laboratory exposure studies.

Raman Microspectroscopy Detection and Characterisation of Microplastics in Human Breastmilk

“…In this regard, almost all MPs were blue and orange/yellow irregular fragments with dimensions ranging from 2 µm to 12 µm, consistent with translocation mechanisms. In accordance with other studies reported in the literature, the most abundant polymers were polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, and polypropylene [43,44].…”

Downward migrating microplastic in lake sediments is a tricky indicator for the onset of the Anthropocene

“…year 1950. Generally, our results are comparable with previous ndings summarising data on polymers occurring in freshwaters and estuaries 29,30 . Jones, et al 29 concluded that the highest relative abundance of polymers found in the environmental samples (including sediments) are PE, PP, PS and miscellaneous plastics representing the most produced polymers.…”

“…Generally, our results are comparable with previous ndings summarising data on polymers occurring in freshwaters and estuaries 29,30 . Jones, et al 29 concluded that the highest relative abundance of polymers found in the environmental samples (including sediments) are PE, PP, PS and miscellaneous plastics representing the most produced polymers. The most frequent miscellaneous plastics were polyethylene-vinyl acetate (PEVA, referred as PVA in our study), PA, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and bioplastics (cellulose derivatives) 29 .…”

Microplastic concentrations, characteristics, and fluxes in water bodies of the Tollense catchment, Germany, with regard to different sampling systems

“…PlasticsEurope 2020). Both polymers are widely used in various applications but are also strongly connected to consumer-related applications such as food wrapping/packaging and single-use items (Jones et al 2020 ; PlasticsEurope 2020). These consumer-related applications are plausible sources of microplastics within the Tollense catchment due to the absence of large-scale industry.…”