Originally written by Sarah Richardson
Texas Water Journal, Volume 16, Number 1 cover photo: Guadalupe River Nature Trail at Canyon Lake Dam. ©2023 Erich Ross Schlegel
The Texas Water Journal has published a new article in Volume 16. It is titled Microplastics and Microfibers in River Sediments: A Review of Current Literature and New Data from Texas Rivers, by Rebecca A. Owens.
This study presents a comprehensive review of the current literature regarding microplastics and microfibers in the environment and their potential impact on fluvial systems. According to the abstract, they sampled and assessed bed sediment from the Brazos, Colorado and Trinity rivers from 2020-2021.
Results demonstrate the presence and prevalence of microfibers in select Texas rivers, most abundantly immediately downstream of urban centers. The author states that people should do such sampling efforts regularly in ecological and geomorphic systems. This is necessary to monitor the temporal accumulation of plastic particles and fibers. This accumulation may have direct or cascading effects on ecological and human health.
Read the full article to learn more.
The journal is an online, peer-reviewed journal published by the nonprofit the Texas Water Journal, with the Texas Water Resources Institute, part of Texas A&M AgriLife Research, the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University and the Bureau of Economic Geology in the Jackson School of Geosciences at The University of Texas at Austin. It publishes papers as they become complete. The journal is devoted to publishing timely articles on Texas water resources management, research and policy issues. It brings a multidisciplinary perspective that integrates science, engineering, law, planning and other disciplines. It also provides updates on key state legislation and policy changes by Texas administrative agencies.
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