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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 29, 2026

Protocol for Microplastics Sampling on the Sea Surface and Sample Analysis

Protocol for Microplastics Sampling on the Sea Surface and Sample Analysis

Published on: December 16, 2016

First attempt to measure macroplastic fragmentation in rivers.

Maciej Liro¹, Anna Zielonka¹, Paweł Mikuś¹

¹Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences, al. Adama Mickiewicza 33, Kraków 31-120, Poland.

Environment International

|August 22, 2024

Summary

A new low-cost method quantifies macroplastic fragmentation in rivers. Tagged plastic bottles showed significant mass loss, indicating rapid microplastic formation even in low-flow mountain rivers.

Keywords:

Field experiment Mountain river Plastic breakdown Plastic fragments Secondary microplastic

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Last Updated: Jun 29, 2026

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Area of Science:

Environmental Science
Ecotoxicology
Riverine Ecology

Background:

Macroplastic fragmentation in rivers is a key source of microplastics.
Direct field measurements of this process are lacking.
River fragmentation hotspots pose risks to ecosystems and human health.

Purpose of the Study:

To develop and validate a simple, low-cost field methodology for quantifying macroplastic fragmentation in rivers.
To assess the fragmentation rate of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles in a mountain river environment.

Main Methods:

A novel field method involving repeated mass measurements of tagged macroplastic items during river transport.
Proof-of-concept experiment conducted over 52-65 days with 1-liter PET bottles in the Skawa River, Poland.
Extrapolation of fragmentation rates to yearly mass loss and surface degradation.

Main Results:

Median fragmentation rate of 0.044 ± 0.012 g for PET bottles over the experimental period.
Estimated median yearly mass loss of 0.26 ± 0.012 g/year (0.78% of bottle mass) under low to medium flow.
Estimated median surface degradation rate of 3.13 ± 0.14 μm/year.

Conclusions:

The proposed methodology is effective for quantifying riverine macroplastic fragmentation.
PET bottles fragment relatively quickly in mountain rivers, even at low to medium flow.
The method can be adapted for various river types, aiding microplastic mitigation strategies.