Characterization and source analysis of microplastics in urban rivers based on Laser Direct Infrared Imaging

LIU Sha-sha; QIU Yue; ZHANG Xi; SUO Cheng-yu; REN Yi

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China Environmental Science ›› 2023, Vol. 43 ›› Issue (12) : 6700-6711.

Emerging Contaminants

Characterization and source analysis of microplastics in urban rivers based on Laser Direct Infrared Imaging

LIU Sha-sha, QIU Yue, ZHANG Xi, SUO Cheng-yu, REN Yi

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Abstract

Taking Tonghui River, a typical urban river in Beijing, as an example, the occurrence characteristics, potential sources and ecological risks of microplastics in urban rivers were systematically studied based on laser infrared imaging system. The results showed that the abundance of microplastics in the surface water of the river ranged from 10 to 41pieces/L, with a mean value of (21.60±10.5) pieces/L. Additionally, a total of 16different types of microplastics were detected in our study, among which the three types with high abundance were polyamide (PA), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polybutylene succinate (PBS), with the detection rates of 25.90%, 22.20% and 18.10%, respectively. Moreover, fine microplastics with particle size £200μm dominated in the river, which accounted for 91.20% of the total number of particles. In terms of microplastic shape, film accounted for the largest proportion (67.59%), followed by granules (22.69%) and fiber (9.72%). Finally, according to the results of field investigation and microplastic characterization, we proposed that microplastics in the Tonghui River probably originated from the weathering of domestic garbage on the shore, the aging of sewage pipelines, and the residues in the effluent of sewage treatment plants. The results of risk assessment showed that the potential ecological risk index of microplastics in the lower reaches of Tonghui River was at dangerous and very dangerous levels, and PVC microplastics were the main types of plastics that caused the increased risk of the water ecosystem in the river. Thus, it is recommended that the government strengthen the source control of man-made plastics, especially PVC plastics, to provide support for the ecological environment safety and protection of urban rivers.

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Laser Direct Infrared Imaging / microplastics / risk assessment / sources / urban rivers

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LIU Sha-sha, QIU Yue, ZHANG Xi, SUO Cheng-yu, REN Yi. Characterization and source analysis of microplastics in urban rivers based on Laser Direct Infrared Imaging[J]. China Environmental Science. 2023, 43(12): 6700-6711

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