Microplastics contamination in the surface water of the Yangtze River from upstream to estuary based on different sampling methods

In this study, we investigated microplastic contamination of the Yangtze River from the upper reaches to the estuary using different sampling methods to understand extensive information on microplastic pollution. The microplastic samples were collected at 10 sites using two conventional methods: trawling and filtering water. The results showed that the average abundance of microplastics ranged from 1.62 +/- 0.61 x 105 to 4.25 +/- 3.87 x 106 items/km2 (trawling samples) and 800.0 +/- 300.0 to 3088.9 +/- 330.6 items/m3 (filtering water samples). The average abundance (by trawling) in the Three Gorges Reservoir (2.80 +/- 1.86 x 106 items/km2) was one order of magnitude higher than that of other sections, which affirmed the barrier effect of dams on microplastic distribution. The barrier effect was more obvious on larger size particles by comparing the results of two methods. The abundances near the left, right banks, and in the midstream showed no significant difference by both two methods, illustrating that sampling at each bank along the Yangtze River was also representative in one section. Characteristics analysis demonstrated that fragments (47.9%) dominated in trawling samples and fiber (63.4%) dominated in filtering water samples. Microplastics of small sizes (<1 mm) and transparent were dominant in samples collected by the two methods. Polyethylene (PP) and polypropylene (PE) were the dominant polymer types in the detected microplastics. In this study, we provided detailed information on microplastic pollution of the Yangtze River from the upstream to the estuary, which is useful for microplastic management and control in this area.

Automated summary

This study investigated microplastic contamination in the Yangtze River using different sampling methods. The results showed that the Three Gorges Reservoir had significantly higher microplastic abundance, indicating a barrier effect of dams on microplastic distribution. Fragments dominated in trawling samples, while fibers dominated in filtering water samples.