Large microplastic particles in sediments of tributaries of the River Thames, UK – abundance, sources and methods for effective quantification

Horton, Alice A. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6058-6048; Svendsen, Claus ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7281-647X; Williams, Richard J.; Spurgeon, David J. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3264-8760; Lahive, Elma. 2017 Large microplastic particles in sediments of tributaries of the River Thames, UK – abundance, sources and methods for effective quantification. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 114 (1). 218-226. 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.09.004

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.09.004

Abstract/Summary

Sewage effluent input and population were chosen as predictors of microplastic presence in sediments at four sites in the River Thames basin (UK). Large microplastic particles (1mm–4mm)were extracted using a stepwise approach to include visual extraction, flotation and identification using Raman spectroscopy. Microplastics were found at all four sites. One site had significantly higher numbers of microplastics than other sites, average 66 particles 100 g−1, 91% of which were fragments. This site was downstream of a storm drain outfall receiving urban runoff; many of the fragments at this site were determined to be derived of thermoplastic road-surface marking paints. At the remaining three sites, fibres were the dominant particle type. The most common polymers identified included polypropylene, polyester and polyarylsulphone. This study describes two major new findings: presence of microplastic particles in a UK freshwater system and identification of road marking paints as a source of microplastics.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.09.004
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Acreman Rees (from October 2014)
ISSN:	0025-326X
Additional Keywords:	Microplastics, Plastics, Debris, sediment, freshwater, sources, pollution, Raman
NORA Subject Terms:	Earth Sciences Ecology and Environment
Date made live:	21 Oct 2016 13:44 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/514678

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.09.004

UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:

Acreman
Rees (from October 2014)

ISSN:

0025-326X

Additional Keywords:

Microplastics, Plastics, Debris, sediment, freshwater, sources, pollution, Raman

NORA Subject Terms:

Earth Sciences
Ecology and Environment