Measurement and characterisation of microplastics in English river catchment waters and sediments - WT15135 [Final report and appendices]

Cross, Richard ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5409-6552; Carter, Heather ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5999-2732; Cox, Ruairidh; Dos Santos Pereira, Gloria ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3740-0019; Johnson, Andrew ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1570-3764; Spurgeon, Dave ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3264-8760. 2023 Measurement and characterisation of microplastics in English river catchment waters and sediments - WT15135 [Final report and appendices]. London, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, 40pp.

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Preview	Text (Content is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0, except where otherwise stated) N536960CR.pdf - Published Version Available under License Open Government Licence v3. Download (1MB) | Preview
Preview	Text (Appendix 1 - Sample location suitability survey of Greater Manchester Area) N536960CR(Appendix1).pdf - Supplemental Material Available under License Open Government Licence v3. Download (129kB) | Preview
Preview	Text (Appendix 2 - Sampling river surface waters and sediments SOP) N536960CR(Appendix2).pdf - Supplemental Material Available under License Open Government Licence v3. Download (421kB) | Preview
Preview	Text (Appendix 3 - Provisional SOP for processing river and sediment samples) N536960CR(Appendix3).pdf - Supplemental Material Available under License Open Government Licence v3. Download (104kB) | Preview
Preview	Text (Appendix 4 - GC-MS analysis of 6PPD in sediments SOP) N536960CR(Appendix4).pdf - Supplemental Material Available under License Open Government Licence v3. Download (103kB) | Preview
Preview	Text (Appendix 5 - Data Summary) N536960CR(Appendix5).pdf - Supplemental Material Available under License Open Government Licence v3. Download (288kB) | Preview

Abstract/Summary

The objective of the project was to carry out a pilot study developing sampling and analytical protocols to determine the quantities, loads and types of microplastics (MP), in surface waters and sediments. Approaches to sampling surface waters and sediments would be reviewed and a selected approach tested on catchments agreed in consultation with the Environment Agency. From this, a provisional standard operating procedure (SOP) guideline is presented that may be used for sampling, processing and analysis of microplastics in river waters and sediments. In addition, it was investigated whether sediment samples collected in this manner could be analysed for the presence of vehicle tyre wear, through quantitative analysis of a common additive of tyre rubber, N-(1,3-Dimethylbutyl)-N’-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine (6PPD). This compound has been identified as a Priority 2 substance for freshwaters and groundwaters (high risk, low certainty) under the Environment Agency’s Prioritisation and Early Warning System (PEWS), flagging it for further consideration in sediments as it meets the toxicity criterion according to available ecotoxicity data and is not currently monitored (Environment Agency, 2023). The method is believed to be the first to be published to quantify this chemical marker in sediments using Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry.

Item Type:	Publication - Report (Project Report)
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Pollution (Science Area 2017-)
Funders/Sponsors:	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)
Additional Information. Not used in RCUK Gateway to Research.:	Open Access report - full text available via Official URL link.
Additional Keywords:	pollution, waste management, water quality
NORA Subject Terms:	Ecology and Environment Hydrology Data and Information
Date made live:	22 Feb 2024 14:42 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/536960

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