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.

• 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
• Electronic ISSN: 1723-8633
• 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