A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
Snapshot Sampling May Not Be Enough to Obtain Robust Estimates for Riverine Microplastic Loads
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7008-0371
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6501-7618
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3707-1182
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4250-4584
Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) have been described as key contributors of microplastics (MPs) to aquatic systems, yet temporal fluctuations in MP concentrations and loads downstream are underexplored. This study investigated how different sampling frequencies (hourly, weekly, and monthly) affect MP estimates in a stream linked to a single WWTP. Utilizing fluorescence microscopy and Raman spectroscopy, considerable hourly variations in MP concentrations were discovered, while the polymer composition remained consistent. This temporal variability in MP loads was influenced by MP concentration, discharge rates, or a mix of both. These results show a high uncertainty, as relying on sparse snapshot samples combined with annual discharge data led to significant uncertainties in MP load estimates (over- and/or underestimation of emissions by 3.8 billion MPs annually at this site). Our findings stress the necessity of higher-frequency sampling for better comprehending the hydrodynamic factors influencing MP transport. This improved understanding enables a more accurate quantification of MP dynamics, crucial for downstream impact assessments. Therefore, preliminary reconnaissance campaigns are essential for designing extended, representative site-monitoring programs and ensuring more precise trend predictions on a larger scale.
This study shows that the time and frequency of microplastic sampling downstream of a wastewater treatment plant considerably influence the concentration and load estimations, suggesting that high-frequency sampling should be applied for monitoring.
Snapshot Sampling May Not Be Enough to Obtain Robust Estimates for Riverine Microplastic Loads
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7008-0371
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6501-7618
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3707-1182
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4250-4584
Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) have been described as key contributors of microplastics (MPs) to aquatic systems, yet temporal fluctuations in MP concentrations and loads downstream are underexplored. This study investigated how different sampling frequencies (hourly, weekly, and monthly) affect MP estimates in a stream linked to a single WWTP. Utilizing fluorescence microscopy and Raman spectroscopy, considerable hourly variations in MP concentrations were discovered, while the polymer composition remained consistent. This temporal variability in MP loads was influenced by MP concentration, discharge rates, or a mix of both. These results show a high uncertainty, as relying on sparse snapshot samples combined with annual discharge data led to significant uncertainties in MP load estimates (over- and/or underestimation of emissions by 3.8 billion MPs annually at this site). Our findings stress the necessity of higher-frequency sampling for better comprehending the hydrodynamic factors influencing MP transport. This improved understanding enables a more accurate quantification of MP dynamics, crucial for downstream impact assessments. Therefore, preliminary reconnaissance campaigns are essential for designing extended, representative site-monitoring programs and ensuring more precise trend predictions on a larger scale.
This study shows that the time and frequency of microplastic sampling downstream of a wastewater treatment plant considerably influence the concentration and load estimations, suggesting that high-frequency sampling should be applied for monitoring.
Snapshot Sampling May Not Be Enough to Obtain Robust Estimates for Riverine Microplastic Loads
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7008-0371
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6501-7618
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3707-1182
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4250-4584
Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) have been described as key contributors of microplastics (MPs) to aquatic systems, yet temporal fluctuations in MP concentrations and loads downstream are underexplored. This study investigated how different sampling frequencies (hourly, weekly, and monthly) affect MP estimates in a stream linked to a single WWTP. Utilizing fluorescence microscopy and Raman spectroscopy, considerable hourly variations in MP concentrations were discovered, while the polymer composition remained consistent. This temporal variability in MP loads was influenced by MP concentration, discharge rates, or a mix of both. These results show a high uncertainty, as relying on sparse snapshot samples combined with annual discharge data led to significant uncertainties in MP load estimates (over- and/or underestimation of emissions by 3.8 billion MPs annually at this site). Our findings stress the necessity of higher-frequency sampling for better comprehending the hydrodynamic factors influencing MP transport. This improved understanding enables a more accurate quantification of MP dynamics, crucial for downstream impact assessments. Therefore, preliminary reconnaissance campaigns are essential for designing extended, representative site-monitoring programs and ensuring more precise trend predictions on a larger scale.
This study shows that the time and frequency of microplastic sampling downstream of a wastewater treatment plant considerably influence the concentration and load estimations, suggesting that high-frequency sampling should be applied for monitoring.
Snapshot Sampling May Not Be Enough to Obtain Robust Estimates for Riverine Microplastic Loads
Kukkola, Anna (author) / Schneidewind, Uwe (author) / Haverson, Lee (author) / Kelleher, Liam (author) / Drummond, Jennifer D. (author) / Sambrook Smith, Gregory (author) / Lynch, Iseult (author) / Krause, Stefan (author)
ACS ES&T Water ; 4 ; 2309-2319
2024-05-10
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
English
Numerical Study of the Riverine Microplastic Distribution in the Arctic Ocean
| DOAJ | 2024
Riverine microplastic discharge along the southern Black Sea coast of Türkiye
| DOAJ | 2025
Statistical Methods for Source Apportionment of Riverine Loads of Pollutants
| Online Contents | 1996
| American Chemical Society | 2024