Tracking Microplastics Across the Streambed Interface: Using Laser‐Induced‐Fluorescence to Quantitatively Analyze Microplastic Transport in an Experimental Flume

Boos, Jan‐Pascal; Gilfedder, Benjamin; Frei, Sven

doi:10.1029/2021wr031064

Cited by 21 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 49 publications

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“…Boos et al. (2021) demonstrated that fluorometric quantification for microplastics in fluvial environments worked best for smaller microplastic sizes of 1 μm. Our study builds on this demonstrating that fluorometric techniques can be used for microplastic particles up to 46 μm.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In theory, fluorometric techniques can be utilized to trace stained solid particles of a near neutral buoyancy displaying the correct wavelengths for the employed instruments. Boos et al (2021) demonstrated that fluorometric quantification for microplastics in fluvial environments worked best for smaller microplastic sizes of 1 μm. Our study builds on this demonstrating that fluorometric techniques can be used for microplastic particles up to 46 μm.…”

Section: Applicability Of Microplastic Tracing and Hydrodynamic Modelingmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Modeling Microplastic and Solute Transport in Vegetated Flows

Stride

Abolfathi

Odara

et al. 2023

Water Resources Research

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Physical interactions of microplastics within vegetation and turbulent flows of freshwater systems are poorly understood. An experimental study was conducted to investigate the underlying physical transport mechanisms of microplastics over submerged canopies across a range of flow conditions common in the natural environment. The effects of changing canopy heights were investigated by testing two model canopies of varying stem heights, simulating seasonal variation. This study determined and compared the mixing and dispersion processes for microplastics and solutes utilizing fluorometric tracing techniques. A hydrodynamic model was developed based on the advection‐dispersion equation for quantifying microplastic mixing in submerged canopies. Longitudinal dispersion coefficients for neutrally buoyant microplastics (polyethylene) and solutes were significantly correlated within submerged model vegetation irrespective of the complexity of the flow regime. Hydrodynamic and solute transport models were shown to be capable of robust predictions of mixing for neutrally buoyant microplastics in environmental flows over a canopy, facilitating a new approach to quantify microplastic transport and fate. We compare the mixing processes for microplastics and solutes then propose a hydrodynamic model for quantifying the mixing in submerged canopies.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Applicability Of Microplastic Tracing and Hydrodynamic Modelingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Modeling Microplastic and Solute Transport in Vegetated Flows

Stride

Abolfathi

Odara

et al. 2023

Water Resources Research

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“…Areas with a low flow velocity can enhance the sedimentation rate and temporal storage of MP in sediments (Nizzetto et al, 2016;Hoellein et al, 2019), and the composition of the riverbed sediment plays a crucial role in entrapping and releasing MP under certain flow conditions (Hurley et al, 2018;Ockelford et al, 2020). Furthermore, microplastic is trapped in the hyporheic zone (Frei et al, 2019) and transported within it (Boos et al, 2021). Precipitation can alter the MP particle concentration due to overflowing water from rainwater overflows (Liu and Borregaard, 2019), stormwater retention ponds, sewer discharge (Piehl et al, 2018;Ory et al, 2020) or run-off from terrestrial systems, such as agricultural lands contaminated with MPs (Piehl et al, 2018;Weithmann et al, 2018).…”

Section: Factors Responsible For Spatial and Temporal Variation Of Mp...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Riverine microplastic contamination in southwest Germany: A large-scale survey

et al. 2022

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Microplastic (MP) contamination of freshwater ecosystems is still in the focus of research and public attention, as aquatic environments have a high ecological, economic, and recreational value. We now know that rivers do not only function as pathways of MPs into oceans but may also act as temporary MP sinks. However, due to methodological differences, the comparability of studies on MP contamination of rivers is still limited. To compare MP contamination between different river systems, to analyze if there is a constant increase in MP contamination from the upper to the lower course of the river, and to investigate if there are distinct MP distribution patterns, we set up a large-scale survey. We chose two large river systems, the Rhine and Danube catchments with their tributaries and sampled 23 rivers of different sizes at 53 sampling locations in southwest Germany. Surface water sampling, sample processing, and analysis were performed with the same methodology to obtain comparable results on MP number, polymer type, and particle’s size and shape. Fully quantitative data were generated down to 300 µm by using a manta trawl net with a 300-µm mesh size for sampling. Nevertheless, we also included the non-quantitative sampled fraction of particles down to a size of 20 µm in our FTIR analysis after plastic-friendly sample purification by enzymatic oxidative treatment. Plastic concentrations recorded in surface water at the sampling locations ranged from 0.7 to 354.9 particles/m³. Concerning all samples, the number of particles increased toward lower size classes (61.0 ± 34.2% below 300 µm), and fragments were the prevailing shape (90.7 ± 13.6%). Polyethylene (49.2 ± 25.9%) and polypropylene (33.2 ± 22.6%) were the most frequent polymer types. Our survey did not reveal distinct MP distribution patterns or a constant increase of MP abundance within river courses in the investigated river systems. Next, to provide a large-scale dataset of microplastic contamination in surface waters of southwest Germany, our study shows that a representative sampling of MPs in rivers is challenging. MP particles are not homogeneously distributed in rivers, and this indicates that spatial and temporal changes in MP abundance should always be considered in MP monitoring approaches.

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“…For example, Re (2019) and Viaroli et al (2022) discuss MnP input due to practices such as managed aquifer recharge or the use of water abstraction near rivers with significant microplastic loads and groundwatersurface water interaction. In particular, rivers and streams are a primary transport vector for MnPs, which can infiltrate into streambed sediment up to a depth of twice the bedform amplitude (Boos et al 2021) and accumulate there over time while posing a potential threat to freshwater resources. While Goeppert and Goldscheider (2021) show that transport of microplastics in alluvial aquifers over larger distances is possible, quantitative studies regarding the direct input of MnP through groundwater management practices are still lacking.…”

Section: Sources and Amounts Of Micro And Nanoplastics In Agriculture...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Moreover, practices such as managed aquifer recharge or the use of water abstraction near rivers can be a primary MnP transport vector. Because MnPs can accumulate in streambed sediment and subsequently enter aquifer systems (Frei et al 2019), they pose a potential threat to drinking water supplies, especially during drinking water production via riverbank filtration (Boos et al 2021;Frei et al 2019;Gillefalk et al 2018).…”

Section: K Groundwatermentioning

confidence: 99%

Microplastics and nanoplastics in agriculture—A potential source of soil and groundwater contamination?

Moeck

Davies

Krause

et al. 2022

Grundwasser - Zeitschrift der Fachsektion Hydrogeologie

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An overview of the current state of knowledge on the pollution of agricultural soils with microplastic and nanoplastic (MnP) particles is provided and the main MnP sources are discussed. MnP transport mechanisms from soil to groundwater, as well as the potential impact of MnPs on soil structure are considered, and the relevance of co-contaminants such as agrochemicals is further highlighted. We elaborate on why MnPs in soil and groundwater are understudied and how analytical capabilities are critical for furthering this crucial research area. We point out that plastic fragmentation in soils can generate secondary MnPs, and that these smaller particles potentially migrate into aquifers. The transport of MnP in soils and groundwater and their migration and fate are still poorly understood. Higher MnP concentrations in agricultural soils can influence the sorption behavior of agrochemicals onto soil grains while attachment/detachment of MnPs onto soil grains and MnP-agrochemical interactions can potentially lead to enhanced transport of both MnP particles and agrochemicals towards underlying groundwater systems.

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Tracking Microplastics Across the Streambed Interface: Using Laser‐Induced‐Fluorescence to Quantitatively Analyze Microplastic Transport in an Experimental Flume

Cited by 21 publications

References 49 publications

Modeling Microplastic and Solute Transport in Vegetated Flows

Modeling Microplastic and Solute Transport in Vegetated Flows

Riverine microplastic contamination in southwest Germany: A large-scale survey

Microplastics and nanoplastics in agriculture—A potential source of soil and groundwater contamination?

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