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

Methodology for quantifying microplastics

Submitted: 12 September 2019
Accepted: 7 November 2019
Published: 13 November 2019
Abstract Views: 6242
PDF: 1507
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Authors

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.

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Citations

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Edited by

Gianluca Corno, CNR-IRSA Verbania, Italy

How to Cite

Dunn, Christian, Jedd Owens, Luke Fears, Laura Nunnerley, Julian Kirby, Oliver L. Armstrong, P. John Thomas, et al. 2019. “An Affordable Methodology for Quantifying Waterborne Microplastics - an Emerging Contaminant in Inland-Waters: Methodology for Quantifying Microplastics”. Journal of Limnology 79 (1). https://doi.org/10.4081/jlimnol.2019.1943.

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