Distribution of microplastics in freshwater systems in an urbanized region: A case study in Flanders (Belgium)

Semmouri, Ilias; Vercauteren, Maaike; Acker, Emmanuel Van; Pequeur, Emmy; Asselman, Jana; Janssen, Colin

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162192

Cited by 26 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 65 publications

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“…The increasing prevalence of MPs in the environment emphasizes the urgent need for developing robust detection and monitoring strategies. Importantly, most MPs in freshwater bodies are small in size (<0.5 mm), − and the size distribution of MPs in surface water exhibits an exponential increase with decreasing particle size, which poses a challenge when developing suitable analytical methods. Here, we presented FC combined with machine learning techniques, including the viSNE and RF models.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Differentiating Microplastics from Natural Particles in Aqueous Suspensions Using Flow Cytometry with Machine Learning

Wang,

Li,

Kroll

et al. 2024

Environ. Sci. Technol.

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Microplastics (MPs) in natural waters are heterogeneously mixed with other natural particles including algal cells and suspended sediments. An easy-to-use and rapid method for directly measuring and distinguishing MPs from other naturally present colloids in the environment would expedite analytical workflows. Here, we established a database of MP scattering and fluorescence properties, either alone or in mixtures with natural particles, by stain-free flow cytometry. The resulting highdimensional data were analyzed using machine learning approaches, either unsupervised (e.g., viSNE) or supervised (e.g., random forest algorithms). We assessed our approach in identifying and quantifying model MPs of diverse sizes, morphologies, and polymer compositions in various suspensions including phototrophic microorganisms, suspended biofilms, mineral particles, and sediment. We could precisely quantify MPs in microbial phototrophs and natural sediments with high organic carbon by both machine learning models (identification accuracies over 93%), although it was not possible to distinguish between different MP sizes or polymer compositions. By testing the resulting method in environmental samples through spiking MPs into freshwater samples, we further highlight the applicability of the method to be used as a rapid screening tool for MPs. Collectively, this workflow can be easily applied to a diverse set of samples to assess the presence of MPs in a time-efficient manner.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Differentiating Microplastics from Natural Particles in Aqueous Suspensions Using Flow Cytometry with Machine Learning

Wang,

Li,

Kroll

et al. 2024

Environ. Sci. Technol.

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“…For example, while many studies report good correlations between MP source regions (highly populated and industrialized areas) and MP abundance in river sediments, others do not 11 . Such lack of correlation has also been observed during MP-investigations of sediments of several Belgian rivers, in contrast to the concentrations in the water itself, for which better links with MP source areas were found 12,13 . What all these studies have in common, is their large-scale approach, in which sediment samples are obtained over distances of tens to even thousands of kilometers along the path of the river; and -depending on the study -at each site sediments are than retrieved from either the thalweg or the riverbank 6 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 88%

“…To prevent contamination with external MP's all work was carried out avoiding plastic equipment as much as possible and under high laboratory standards. For ltered water samples, a correction was performed using the limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantitation (LOQ) method based on blank samples 13,28 . For sediment sampling, an MP-free eld blank was prepared by heating a mix of two previously collected van Veen grab samples to 550°C for 4 hours to obtain MP-free sediment 6 .…”

Section: Quality Assurance and Controlmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microplastic distribution in a meandering river bed and its sedimentary predictors

Daele,

Bastelaere,

De Clercq

et al. 2024

Preprint

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The scale of microplastic pollution in river sediments is gradually being elucidated through an increasing number of large-scale studies. Despite these advancements, our knowledge about the microplastic distribution within a riverbed – a crucial aspect for quantification – remains poor. Here, we study the meandering River Lys, Belgium, to evaluate how microplastic concentration varies between different sedimentary environments within the riverbed. We find that microplastic abundance is an order of magnitude higher towards the riverbanks compared to the thalweg, corresponding with hydrodynamics. Moreover, apart from the erosional area near the outer banks, organic matter content and median grain size are robust predictors of microplastic concentrations. These results significantly increase our understanding of MP distribution at the small scale of the riverbed. They are a crucial element to guide for future sampling efforts across diverse river systems, paving the way for normalization and better quantification of amounts of microplastics trapped by river sediments.

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“…MPs (

) were filtered (pore size:

, ø

; Omnipore Membrane filter; Merck) and analyzed using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy (Nicolet iN10 FTIR Spectrometer; ThermoFisher) for polymer identification, using methodology similar to that described before by Semmouri et al. 5 with the proper precautions such as cotton lab coats to avoid contamination. 5 Procedural blank samples (deionized water,

) did not contain any microplastics.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“… 5 with the proper precautions such as cotton lab coats to avoid contamination. 5 Procedural blank samples (deionized water,

) did not contain any microplastics. The MP concentrations were used to calculate the minimal and maximal administered dose for a

neonate in a clinical situation, based on the flow of the administered fluids (

for crystalloid solution and

for lipid emulsion).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Ex Vivo Study Examining Migration of Microplastics from an Infused Neonatal Parenteral Nutrition Circuit

Vercauteren,

Panneel,

Jorens

et al. 2024

Environ Health Perspect

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Distribution of microplastics in freshwater systems in an urbanized region: A case study in Flanders (Belgium)

Cited by 26 publications

References 65 publications

Differentiating Microplastics from Natural Particles in Aqueous Suspensions Using Flow Cytometry with Machine Learning

Differentiating Microplastics from Natural Particles in Aqueous Suspensions Using Flow Cytometry with Machine Learning

Microplastic distribution in a meandering river bed and its sedimentary predictors

An Ex Vivo Study Examining Migration of Microplastics from an Infused Neonatal Parenteral Nutrition Circuit

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