Microplastics in freshwater detection and analysis strategies for limnic ecosystems

-

Abstract

Microplastics can not only be detected in oceans, but also in freshwater ecosystems. Detection and analysis strategies for limnic ecosystems must be tested and evaluated in order to identify and investigate pollution and possible pathways. For this purpose, the degradation behavior of microplastics in freshwater was studied and the adsorption behavior of microplastics on freshwater plants was shown. Subsequently, strategies for the detection and analysis of freshwater plant samples, water samples, sediment and sediment rock samples and furthermore atmospheric samples were developed. An environmental study was carried out in four different bodies of water in North Rhine-Westphalia (Wupper, Rhein-Herne-Kanal, Ruhr and Emscher). The sampling and analysis methods for freshwater plants and water samples were applied. Potential microplastics were found in all oft the examined water and plant samples. This underlines the need for a standardized detection and analysis strategy for the long-term monitoring of microplastics in limnic ecosystems.