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 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, bed sediment from the Brazos, Colorado and Trinity rivers was sampled and assessed 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 such sampling efforts should be taken regularly in ecological and geomorphic systems to monitor the temporal accumulation of plastic particles and fibers, which may have direct or cascading effects on ecological and human health.
Read the full article to learn more.
The journal — 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 — publishes papers as they are completed. It is devoted to the timely consideration of Texas water resources management, research and policy issues from 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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