Microplastic Abundance in Riverine Fish Along a Land-use Gradient
Abstract
Microplastic (<5mm) pollution is ubiquitous worldwide.The distribution of plastic particles in freshwater tributaries is ‘patchy’ showing an accumulation of particles in depositional zones, which have naturally occurring fine particles. Microplastics may be ‘sorted’ by density; denser particles in the sediment and less dense particles on the water’s surface. The purpose of this study is to determine the spatial distribution of microplastic by polymer type in 3 river habitats: surface water, water column, and benthic. So far in our study, we have found microplastics of all types can sink and become part of the sediment.
Microplastic Abundance in Riverine Fish Along a Land-use Gradient
Microplastic (<5mm) pollution is ubiquitous worldwide.The distribution of plastic particles in freshwater tributaries is ‘patchy’ showing an accumulation of particles in depositional zones, which have naturally occurring fine particles. Microplastics may be ‘sorted’ by density; denser particles in the sediment and less dense particles on the water’s surface. The purpose of this study is to determine the spatial distribution of microplastic by polymer type in 3 river habitats: surface water, water column, and benthic. So far in our study, we have found microplastics of all types can sink and become part of the sediment.