Characterization of microplastics and anthropogenic fibers in surface waters of the North Saskatchewan River, Alberta, Canada
Characterization of microplastics and anthropogenic fibers in surface waters of the North Saskatchewan River, Alberta, Canada
Author
Bujaczek, T.
Kolter, S.
Locky, David
Ross, Matthew
Faculty Advisor
Date
2021
Keywords
microplastic , freshwater , fibers , Raman spectroscopy , internal standard , Canada
Abstract (summary)
Microplastics are globally ubiquitous contaminants, but quantitative data on their presence in freshwater environments are sparse. This study investigates the occurrence, composition, and spatial
trends of microplastic contamination in the North Saskatchewan River flowing through Edmonton,
Alberta, the fifth largest city in Canada. Surface water samples were collected from seven sites
throughout the city, upstream and downstream of the city, and near potential point sources (i.e., a
wastewater treatment plant). Samples were spiked with fluorescent microbeads as internal standards
and extracted by wet peroxide oxidation and density floatation. Microplastics were found in all samples, ranging in concentration from 4.6 to 88.3 particles·m−3 (mean = 26.2 ± 18.4 particles·m−3
).
Fibers were the dominant morphology recovered, and most were of anthropogenic origin and chemically identified as dyed cotton or polyester by Raman microspectroscopy. The majority of fragments
were identified as polyethylene or polypropylene. No upstream to downstream differences were found
in concentration, size distribution, or morphological composition suggesting nonpoint sources of
microplastics to the river. This study represents one of the first investigations into the occurrence of
microplastics in the freshwater environment in western Canada and will provide a baseline for future
studies.
Publication Information
Bujaczek, T., Kolter, S., Locky, D., Ross, M.S. (2021). Characterization of microplastics and anthropogenic fibers in surface waters of the North Saskatchewan River, Alberta, Canada. FACETS, 6, 26–43. https://doi.org/10.1139/facets-2020-0057
DOI
Notes
Item Type
Article
Language
English
Rights
Attribution (CC BY)
