Microplastics distribution in river side bars: The combined effects of water level and wind intensity
Rivers are the main pathway for microplastics (MP) transport toward the ocean. However, the understanding of the processes involved in the deposition and mobilization of MP in rivers, specifically in sediment side bars (SB), remains very limited. The objectives of this study were: (i) to examine the...
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Veröffentlicht in: | The Science of the total environment 2023-11, Vol.897, p.165406-165406, Article 165406 |
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Sprache: | eng |
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Zusammenfassung: | Rivers are the main pathway for microplastics (MP) transport toward the ocean. However, the understanding of the processes involved in the deposition and mobilization of MP in rivers, specifically in sediment side bars (SB), remains very limited. The objectives of this study were: (i) to examine the effect of hydrometric fluctuations and wind intensity on the distribution of microplastics (MP 90 % of the MP items found were fiber of polyethylene terephthalate (PET; FT-IR analysis), the most common MP color was blue, and most were in the 0.5–2 mm size range. The concentration/composition of MP varied according to the river discharge and wind intensity. During the falling limb of the hydrograph when discharge is decreasing and sediments are exposed for short periods (13–30 days), MP particles transported by the flow were deposited on temporarily exposed SB, accumulating there in high densities (309–373 items/kg). However, during the drought, when sediments remained exposed for a long time (259 days), MP were mobilized and transported by the wind. During this period (no influence of the flow), MP densities significantly decreased on SB (39–47 items/kg). In conclusion, both hydrological fluctuations and wind intensity played a significant role in MP distribution in SB.
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•Combination of flow hydrodynamics and wind regulate microplastics distribution significantly in side bars of large rivers.•During the falling limbs of a flood, microplastics are deposited in side bars in high concentrations.•When side bars remain exposed for long periods, microplastics are exported by the wind.•The dominant microplastics identified are fibers (PET), the most frequent color and size were blue and 0.5-2 mm. |
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ISSN: | 0048-9697 1879-1026 |
DOI: | 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165406 |