An affordable methodology for quantifying waterborne microplastics - an emerging contaminant in inland-waters

Dunn, C; Owens, J; Fears, L; Nunnerley, L; Kirby, J; Armstrong, OL; Thomas, PJ; Aberg, D; Gilder, W; Green, D; Antwis, RE; Freeman, C

Abstract

The occurrence of microplastics in marine habitats is well documented and of growing concern. The presence of these small (<5 mm) pieces of plastic is less well recorded in inland water systems. In this paper, we determine a cost-efficient and straightforward method for the collection and identification of microplastics in UK inland waters. We found pieces of microplastic from all sample sites ranging from over 1000 L-1 in the River Tame, to 2.4 L-1 in Loch Lomond. The presence of microplastics in all waters tested suggest it should now be classed as an emergent contaminant, with routine monitoring required.

Citation

Dunn, C., Owens, J., Fears, L., Nunnerley, L., Kirby, J., Armstrong, O., …Freeman, C. (2020). An affordable methodology for quantifying waterborne microplastics - an emerging contaminant in inland-waters. Journal of Limnology, 79(1), https://doi.org/10.4081/jlimnol.2019.1943

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Nov 7, 2019
• Online Publication Date: Nov 13, 2019
• Publication Date: Feb 7, 2020
• Deposit Date: Jun 3, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 3, 2020
• Journal: Journal of Limnology
• Publisher: PAGEpress
• Volume: 79
• Issue: 1
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4081/jlimnol.2019.1943
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.4081/jlimnol.2019.1943
• Related Public URLs: https://jlimnol.it/index.php/jlimnol