Microplastic abundance, distribution, and diversity in water and sediments along a subtropical river system

Microplastic pollution in aquatic environments has been a ubiquitous concern in recent years, owing to their rapid production combined with poor waste management practices. However, information on freshwater microplastics in the Global South is still scarce, despite growing research on freshwater microplastics in recent years, particularly within the Global North. To help address this knowledge gap, we studied water and sediment microplastic dynamics along a subtropical river system, i.e. Crocodile River around the Nelspruit City area (South Africa), across three different seasons (i.e. cool-dry, hot-dry, hot-wet) using a combination of diversity indices and multivariate analyses. Microplastics were more abundant during the cool-dry season in the surface water samples (mean 1058 particles m(-3)) and high during the hot-dry season (mean 568 particles kg(-1) dwt) in the sediment samples. The hot-wet season had a low particle density in both surface water (mean 625 particles m(-3)) and sediments (mean 86 particles kg(-1) dwt) samples. Microplastic shapes were dominated by fibres and fragments, with the colour scheme dominated by transparent, blue, and black. The abundance of microplastics was positively correlated with pH and resistivity, and negatively with river flow. Wastewater was attributed as a primary source of microplastics, particularly because of the observed dominant fibre microplastics, usually released during laundry. Our results suggest that Crocodile River and its tributaries are temporary sinks of microplastics during periods of low rainfall. Implications of this pollution are far-reaching, including effects on residents who are dependent on the Crocodile River as a source of drinking water and aquatic biota which may be exposed to these pollutants.

Automated summary

Microplastic pollution in aquatic environments is a global concern, but research on freshwater microplastics, especially in the Global South, is limited. To address this knowledge gap, we studied microplastic dynamics in the Crocodile River in South Africa. Microplastics were more abundant during the cool-dry season in surface water and the hot-dry season in sediments. The main source of microplastics was wastewater, particularly from laundry. This pollution has implications for drinking water and aquatic biota in the area.