Work

Distribution, Characterization and Risk Assessment of Microplastics in Two Rivers in West Central Scotland: The Black Cart Water and White Cart Water

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Improved understanding of the behaviour of microplastics in freshwater systems is important as rivers are major conduits for the transport of particles from land to sea. This study investigated microplastics in two tributaries of the River Clyde, Scotland, UK, that flow through rural, sub-urban and urban areas. Surface water and sediment were obtained from 25 locations in the Black Cart Water and White Cart Water. Microplastics were isolated and characterized by digital mi-croscopy and ATR-FTIR spectroscopy. Particles were found in only four water samples, all from the White Cart. Sediment analysis revealed microplastic abundance ranging from 300 to 600 items/kg in the Black Cart and 33.3 to 567 items/kg in the White Cart. Fragments were the most common particle shape and white/transparent the most common particle color. The most common polymers in the Black Cart were PP>PET>PS>PVC>PTFE and in the White Cart PE>PP>PTFE>PET>PA. Identification of some microplastics was challenging because their FTIR spectra did not correspond well to reference spectra of pure polymers. Although the polymer hazard index at some locations was high due to presence of particles composed of PVC and PA, the ecological risk from microplastics in the Cart rivers system was generally low.

Source: Environments

DOI: 10.3390/environments12100342

Authors: Daniel E. Enenche, Christine M. Davidson, Walter B. Osungbemiro, John J. Liggat

Institutions: University of Strathclyde, Armada de Chile

Language: English

Topic: Microplastics and Plastic Pollution

Subfield: Pollution

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Clean water and sanitation

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,172