Preliminary Monitoring of Microplastic Pollution in the Downstream Waters of the Da River
Main Article Content
Abstract
Microplastics, an emerging environmental contaminant, have attracted widespread attention in recent years. However, relatively few studies have specifically focused on microplastics in river systems that supply water for various socio-economic activities, such as the Da River system. This study aims to provide a preliminary assessment of the pollution level, morphological characteristics, polymer composition, and potential ecological risks of microplastics in the surface water of the downstream of the Da River. Water samples were collected during two seasons (dry and rainy seasons) in 2024–2025 and analyzed within the size range of 300–5000 µm. The results indicate that microplastics are ubiquitous, with abundances ranging from 162 to 300 items m⁻³, and with higher values observed in the dry season compared to the rainy season. Microplastics were predominantly present in the form of fibers and fragments. The dominant polymer types included polypropylene (PP), polyester (PES), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The potential ecological risk assessment suggests that microplastics in the Da River currently pose a high risk to aquatic ecosystems, and the Pollution Load Index (PLI) indicates pollution level II. This study provides a scientific basis for better management and control of microplastic pollution in the Da River.
Keywords:
Microplastics; surface water; Da River; Vietnam.*
References
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Vol. 21, No. 3, 2023, pp. 245-255,
https://doi.org/10.32526/ennrj/21/202200244.
[24] M. Peng, Q. Wu, S. Gao, Y. Liu, J. Zeng, Y. Ruan, Distribution and Characteristics of Microplastics in an Urban River: The Response to Urban Waste Management, Science of The Total Environment, Vol. 905, 2023, pp. 166638. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166638.
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https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2023.123190.
[28] M. C. M. Blettler, N. Garello, L. Ginon, E. Abrial, L. A. Espinola, K. M. Wantzen, Massive Plastic Pollution in a Mega-river of a Developing Country: Sediment Deposition and Ingestion by Fish (Prochilodus lineatus), Environmental Pollution, Vol. 255, Part. 3, 2019, pp. 113348,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2019.113348.
[29] C. Campanale, F. Stock, M. Carmine, C. Kranert, G. Brattebo, G. Rago, F. Uricchio, Microplastics and their Possible Sources: The example of Ofanto river in southeast Italy, Environmental Pollution, Vol. 258, 2020, pp. 113284, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2019.113284.
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[32] J. Niu, D. Xu, W. Wu, B. Gao, Tracing Microplastic Sources in Urban Water Bodies Combining Their Diversity, Fragmentation and Stability, npj Clean Water, Vol. 7, 2024, pp. 37. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41545-024-00329-2.
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