A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Sediment trapping – An attempt to monitor temporal variation of microplastic flux rates in aquatic systems
Authors: Saarni Saija, Hartikainen Samuel, Meronen Senja, Uurasjärvi Emilia, Kalliokoski Maarit, Koistinen Arto
Publisher: Elsevier Ltd
Publication year: 2021
Journal: Environmental Pollution
Journal name in source: Environmental Pollution
Article number: 116568
Volume: 274
Number of pages: 9
ISSN: 0269-7491
eISSN: 1873-6424
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2021.116568
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/53322629
ediment trapping as a tool to monitor microplastic influx was tested in an urban boreal lake basin. The one-year-long trap monitoring consisted of 5-month and 7-month periods representing growing season and winter season (including the spring flood event), respectively. Sediment accumulation rate (SAR), and organic content were determined, highest SAR – 14.5 g/m2/d – was measured during the winter period. Microplastics were extracted from the sediment applying heavy-liquid density separation method and collected under a microscope for further identification with FTIR spectroscopy. PE was identified as the most abundant synthetic polymer type, while PP and PET are also present. The annual microplastic flux rate is 32 400 pieces/m2/year, and highest accumulation does not coincide with the highest SAR, but occurs during the growing season. Changes in the microplastic accumulation rates are related to seasonal conditions. Highest microplastic concentration with respect to dry sediment weight (10 200 pieces/kg) was observed in a growing season sample, while highest concentration with respect to sediment volume (1800 pieces/l) was observed during winter. This finding underlines the problems related to reporting microplastic concentrations in various units. The results highlight that sediment trap monitoring is an efficient tool for monitoring microplastic accumulation rate in aquatic environments and provides an opportunity to better understand and define processes controlling microplastic accumulation.
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