Spatiotemporal trends and characteristics of microplastic contamination in a large river-dominated estuary
Md. Refat Jahan Rakib, Sultan Al Nahian, Reyhane Madadi, Sayeed Mahmood Belal Haider, Gabriel Enrique De-la-Torre, Tony R. Walker, M.P. Jonathan, Win Cowger, Mayeen Uddin Khandaker, Abubakr M. Idris
Abstract
= -0.74 and 0.74 respectively). Indicating that if the Karnaphuli River water has low pH or high temperature, there is likely to be high MPs present in the water. Most MP particles were film-shaped, white in color, and 1-5 mm in size. Of the six polymers detected, polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and cellulose were predominant, comprising roughly 17-19% each. These results can be used to model MP transport in the freshwater ecosystem of the Karnaphuli River estuary in Bangladesh to help develop future mitigation strategies.