Author(s): Megan M. Trusler; Craig J. Sturrock; Christopher H. Vane; Sarah Cook; Barry H. Lomax
Linked Author(s):
Keywords: Particle imaging; Plastic polymer; Sediment core; Microplastic pollution; River Thames
Abstract: Existing techniques used to quantify microplastics in sediments rely upon the destruction of the sediment structure and yield a relatively low vertical resolution of microplastic abundance, making it difficult to develop a precise understanding of microplastic storage and transfer in sediments. X-ray Computed Tomography (CT) is a three-dimensional non-destructive imaging technique, which could in theory allow for the non-invasive identification of microplastics in-situ within sediment cores. In this study, the utility of CT was explored as a novel technique for the non-destructive analysis of microplastics in river sediments, forming part of a wider study investigating sources and sinks of microplastics in the river Thames estuary, UK.
Year: 2024