Runoff and discharge pathways of microplastics into freshwater ecosystems: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Wang, J.; Bucci, Kennedy; Helm, Paul A.; Hoellein, Timothy J.; Hoffman, Matthew J.; Rooney, Rebecca C.; Rochman, Chelsea M.

doi:10.1139/facets-2022-0140

Cited by 14 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 74 publications

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“…However, nets will allow small and filamentous particles (i.e., fibers) to escape and show lower concentrations than samples collected without a net. In contrast, "grab" samples of some lower volume of water allow for all particles to be measured; however, the lower volume may lead to higher variation in concentrations among replicate samples (Wang et al, 2022). Our study was based on grab samples collected via an autosampler.…”

Section: Results From This Study Compared With Literaturementioning

confidence: 99%

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Anthropogenic particle concentrations and fluxes in an urban river are temporally variable and impacted by storm events

Berg,

Dila,

Schaul

et al. 2024

Water Environment Research

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Anthropogenic particles (AP), which include microplastics and other synthetic, semisynthetic, and anthropogenically modified materials, are pollutants of concern in aquatic ecosystems worldwide. Rivers are important conduits and retention sites for AP, and time series data on the movement of these particles in lotic ecosystems are needed to assess the role of rivers in the global AP cycle. Much research assessing AP pollution extrapolates stream loads based on single time point measurements, but lotic ecosystems are highly variable over time (e.g., seasonality and storm events). The accuracy of models describing AP dynamics in rivers is constrained by the limited studies that examine how frequent changes in discharge drive particle retention and transport. This study addressed this knowledge gap by using automated, high‐resolution sampling to track AP concentrations and fluxes during multiple storm events in an urban river (Milwaukee River) and comparing these measurements to commonly monitored water quality metrics. AP concentrations and fluxes varied significantly across four storm events, highlighting the temporal variability of AP dynamics. When data from the sampling periods were pooled, there were increases in particle concentration and flux during the early phases of the storms, suggesting that floods may flush AP into the river and/or resuspend particles from the benthic zone. AP flux was closely linked to river discharge, suggesting large loads of AP are delivered downstream during storms. Unexpectedly, AP concentrations were not correlated with other simultaneously measured water quality metrics, including total suspended solids, fecal coliforms, chloride, nitrate, and sulfate, indicating that these metrics cannot be used to estimate AP. These data will contribute to more accurate models of particle dynamics in rivers and global plastic export to oceans.Practitioner Points Anthropogenic particle (AP) concentrations and fluxes in an urban river varied across four storm events. AP concentrations and fluxes were the highest during the early phases of the storms. Storms increased AP transport downstream compared with baseflow. AP concentrations did not correlate with other water quality metrics during storms.

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Section: Results From This Study Compared With Literaturementioning

confidence: 99%

“…One consideration for interpretation of the data in this study is the role of sampling methodology and volume. Previous work suggests a trade‐off between high and low volume sampling in aquatic habitats (Barrows et al, 2017; Wang et al, 2022). High volume samples can be obtained via the passage of water through a net or sieve.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Anthropogenic particle concentrations and fluxes in an urban river are temporally variable and impacted by storm events

Berg,

Dila,

Schaul

et al. 2024

Water Environment Research

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“…It should be noted that several factors, such as precipitation, catchment size, type of land use, and analysis methodology (e.g., sampling volume and size of collected MPs), can influence the reported MP abundance in stormwater. , Järlskog et al . reported only 3 MPs/L of ≥100 μm in stormwater samples; however, this increased to 5900 MPs/L when analyzing smaller MPs (>20 μm).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…), with leachates from tires more toxic to bacteria and microalgae compared to other polymers (polyethylene, poly(ethylene terephthalate), and polypropylene). 19 In a recent review study, Wang et al 20 showed a much higher abundance of MPs (mean 676 MPs/L from 25 studies) in stormwater runoff compared to other important land-based MP sources such as wastewater effluent (mean 12 MPs/L from 76 studies). This highlights the need to better understand the abundance of MPs in stormwater and to control this potentially important source of land-based MPs.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microplastics and Tire Wear Particles in Urban Stormwater: Abundance, Characteristics, and Potential Mitigation Strategies

Ziajahromi

Drapper³

et al. 2023

Environ. Sci. Technol.

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Stormwater has been identified as a pathway for microplastics (MPs), including tire wear particles (TWPs), into aquatic habitats. Our knowledge of the abundance of MPs in urban stormwater and potential strategies to control MPs in stormwater is still limited. In this study, stormwater samples were collected from microlitter capture devices (inlet and outlet) during rain events. Sediment samples were collected from the material captured in the device and from the inlet and outlet of a constructed stormwater wetland. MP (>25 μm) concentration in stormwater varied across different locations ranging from 3.8 to 59 MPs/L in raw and 1.8 to 32 MPs/L in treated stormwater, demonstrating a decrease after passage through the device (35–88% removal). TWPs comprised ∼95% of all particles, followed by polypropylene (PP) and poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET). The concentration of TWPs ranged from 2.5 to 58 TWPs/L and 1450 to 4740 TWPs/kg in stormwater and sediment, respectively. A higher abundance of MPs was found in the sediment at the inlet of the constructed wetland compared to the outlet, indicating a potential role of wetlands in removing MPs from stormwater. These findings suggest that both constructed wetlands and microlitter capture devices can mitigate the transport of MPs from stormwater to the receiving waterways.

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“…Municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are key point sources of microplastics to freshwater environments (Sun et al, 2019; Wang et al, 2022). Though not specifically designed to remove them, wastewater treatment processes can reduce microplastics by upward of 99% (Gies et al, 2018); but their effectiveness depends on the type of treatment used (Gies et al, 2018; Iyare et al, 2020; Lares et al, 2018; Sun et al, 2019; Xu et al, 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microparticles in Wild and Caged Biota, Sediments, and Water Relative to Large Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant Discharges

Weir,

Kidd,

Hamilton

et al. 2024

Enviro Toxic and Chemistry

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Anthropogenically modified microparticles including microplastics are present in municipal wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluents; however, it is unclear whether biotic exposures are elevated downstream of these outfalls. In the fall of 2019, the present study examined whether microparticle levels in resident fish, environmental samples, and caged organisms were elevated near the Waterloo and Kitchener WWTP outfalls along the Grand River, Ontario, Canada. Wild rainbow darters (Etheostoma caeruleum) were collected from a total of 10 sites upstream and downstream of both WWTPs, along with surface water and sediment samples to assess spatial patterns over an approximately 70‐km river stretch. Amphipods (Hyalella azteca), fluted‐shell mussels (Lasmigona costata), and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) were also caged upstream and downstream of one WWTP for 14 or 28 days. Whole amphipods, fish digestive tracts, and mussel tissues (hemolymph, digestive glands, gills) were digested with potassium hydroxide, whereas environmental samples were processed using filtration and density separation. Visual identification, measurement, and chemical confirmation (subset only) of microparticles were completed. Elevated abiotic microparticles were found at several upstream reference sites as well as at one or both wastewater‐impacted sites. Microparticles in amphipods, all mussel tissues, and wild fish did not show patterns indicative of increased exposures downstream of effluent discharges. In contrast, elevated microparticle counts were found in trout caged directly downstream of the outfall. Across all samples, cellulose fibers (mainly blue and clear colors) were the most common. Overall, results suggest little influence of WWTP effluents on microparticles in biota but rather a ubiquitous presence across most sites that indicates the importance of other point and nonpoint sources to this system. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;00:1–15. © 2024 His Majesty the King in Right of Canada and The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC. Reproduced with the permission of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada.

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Runoff and discharge pathways of microplastics into freshwater ecosystems: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Cited by 14 publications

References 74 publications

Anthropogenic particle concentrations and fluxes in an urban river are temporally variable and impacted by storm events

Anthropogenic particle concentrations and fluxes in an urban river are temporally variable and impacted by storm events

Microplastics and Tire Wear Particles in Urban Stormwater: Abundance, Characteristics, and Potential Mitigation Strategies

Microparticles in Wild and Caged Biota, Sediments, and Water Relative to Large Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant Discharges

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