Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1038/s41598-021-02748-4
Licence creative commons licence
Title (Primary) Burial of microplastics in freshwater sediments facilitated by iron-organo flocs
Author Leiser, R.; Schumann, M.; Dadi, T.; Wendt-Potthoff, K. ORCID logo
Source Titel Scientific Reports
Year 2021
Department SEEFO
Volume 11
Page From art. 24072
Language englisch
Topic T5 Future Landscapes
Supplements https://static-content.springer.com/esm/art%3A10.1038%2Fs41598-021-02748-4/MediaObjects/41598_2021_2748_MOESM1_ESM.pdf
Abstract Microplastics are ubiquitous in standing freshwater bodies, consequently lakes and reservoirs may be important sinks for these contaminants. However, the mechanisms governing the deposition of microplastics and their interactions with the sediments are understudied. We demonstrate how aggregation-based transport facilitates the sinking and infiltration of buoyant microplastics into freshwater reservoir sediments by employing experiments with intact sediment cores. Buoyant polyethylene microplastics were rapidly (1–4 h) incorporated into sinking iron-organic aggregates, followed by swift deposition into sediments. Ingression of microplastic bearing flocs into sediments was completed within 6 days and led to stable deposition of the incorporated particles for at least 2 months. Most microplastics were deposited in the top 2 cm of the sediments and few particles (5–15%) were re-released into the water. Our results show at least 85% burial of microplastics, indicating the significant role of freshwaters with low flow velocities in reducing microplastic loads to the oceans.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=25369
Leiser, R., Schumann, M., Dadi, T., Wendt-Potthoff, K. (2021):
Burial of microplastics in freshwater sediments facilitated by iron-organo flocs
Sci. Rep. 11 , art. 24072 10.1038/s41598-021-02748-4