[Pollution Status and Pollution Behavior of Microplastic in Surface Water and Sediment of Urban Rivers].
Xin Zhao, Hao Chen, Qilong Jia, Chensi Shen, Yi Zhu, Li Lei, Yun-Han Nie, Jianfeng Ye
Abstract
(wet weight). The abundance of microplastics was found to increase with the decreasing particle diameter. Among which, microplastics with a size of less than 500 μm, as well as the fibrous shape, transparent color, and Polyester composition, have always dominated in the urban rivers in Shanghai megacity. Comparably, microplastics in the sediments were more diverse in their morphology features and polymer compositions. Microplastic pollution in the urban rivers in Shanghai megacity was severe in comparison to that in other urban rivers worldwide. Among various urban rivers, the distribution of microplastics with different morphology features and polymer compositions is greatly influenced by a number of factors including the source (e.g., mainly laundry wastewater, personal care products, and refuse plastic waste), hydrodynamic conditions, and the physical and chemical properties of plastics. Furthermore, the pollution behavior (i.e., source, transmission, and fate) of microplastics occurring in urban rivers is discussed, and the potential impacts of various environmental factors are explained.