Analysis of heavy microplastics in five tributaries of the Danube River, Germany and the Cumberland River, Tennessee
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Authors
Hudspeth, Virginia
Wolfe, Mitch
Issue Date
2023-04-28
Type
Other
Language
en_US
Keywords
Scholarship Sewanee 2023 , University of the South , Microplastic , Danube River , Cumberland River
Alternative Title
Abstract
This study on five tributaries of the Danube River was conducted as part of the CLEANDANUBE project, which aims to characterize the water quality of the Danube River from the Black Forest of Germany to the Black Sea. Water was sampled for microplastics in Germany on the Isar, Lech, Regen, Altmühl, and Naab Rivers near their respective confluences with the Danube River. Two 1-liter samples were collected from bridges near the center of each tributary using a Wildco depth sampler. Samples were obtained 1-2 meters above the riverbed. 500 ml from each tributary was filtered through a 10-micron stainless steel filter disk and then visually inspected under a microscope to determine a count of the microplastics present. Microplastic fibers were more prevalent than other forms. The preliminary results suggest that the concentration of microplastics is much lower than that of waters found at depth in the Cumberland River and reflects different attitudes and policies towards plastic recycling and littering in the two countries. Quantified results are expected to be presented during Scholarship Sewanee.
Description
Citation
Publisher
University of the South