Microplastic (MP) pollution is well documented in surface waters, but data related to the vertical distribution, cycling and fate of MPs is still scarce. To fill knowledge gaps and improve MP sampling methods, we developed and tested a novel sampling device (AAU-KRAKEN) based on an active filtration system capable of filtering large volumes through the water column. The apparatus comprises a borehole deep-well pump in a steel cylinder with six filtering units (UFO) attached, each containing a 10µm steel filter. The filtered water is expelled through the device’s outlet equipped with a wing flowmeter. An integrated CTD probe provides online conductivity, temperature and depth. The device, deployed using an oceanographic winch, is activated and monitored remotely from the deck, filtering 3m3 of water in 30min. We performed high-resolution profiles in the Skagerrak (DK) within the Velux project MarinePlastic by sampling at six depths up to 100m. Moreover, we collected three consecutive samples at the same depth to assess the sampling’s short-term temporal variability. The collected samples were processed and analyzed with state-of-the-art methods (FPA-µFTIR-Imaging and siMPle automatic MPs analysis). AAU-KRAKEN significantly broadens the opportunities to understand the dispersion of small MPs along the water column, providing crucial insights into their vertical transport. The evaluation of MP in surface waters does not align with the projected discharge into the marine ecosystem, resulting in a significant query concerning the fate of plastic in the environment.
Primary Presenter: Lucian Iordachescu, Aalborg University (lio@build.aau.dk)
Authors:
Alvise Vianello, Department of the Built Environment, Aalborg University (avia@build.aau.dk)
Asbjørn Nielsen, Department of the Built Environment, Aalborg University (ahn@build.aau.dk)
Claudia Lorenz, Department of the Built Environment, Aalborg University (clo@build.aau.dk)
Laura Sanchez, Department of the Built Environment, Aalborg University (lasisa@build.aau.dk)
Diana Stephansen, Department of the Built Environment, Aalborg University (dast@build.aau.dk)
Konstantinos Papacharalampos, Department of the Built Environment, Aalborg University (konstantinos207@gmail.com)
Gunaalan Kuddithamby, National Institute of Aquatic Resources, Technical University of Denmark (guku@aqua.dtu.dk)
Torkel Nielsen, National Institute of Aquatic Resources, Technical University of Denmark (tgin@aqua.dtu.dk)
Rodrigo Garcia, Marine Ecophysiology Group (EOMAR), IU- ECOAQUA. Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (rodrigo.almeda@ulpgc.es)
Jes Vollertsen, Department of the Built Environment, Aalborg University (jesvollertsen@build.aau.dk)
Lucian Iordachescu, Department of the Built Environment, Aalborg University (lio@civil.aau.dk)
Kristian Syberg, Department of Science and Environment, Roskilde University (ksyberg@ruc.dk)
FROM TOP TO BOTTOM: HIGH-RESOLUTION MICROPLASTIC VERTICAL PROFILING WITH AAU – KRAKEN, A NOVEL IN-SITU PUMP FOR SMALL MICROPLASTICS SAMPLING
Category
Scientific Sessions > SS024 Down the Drain and Down the River: The Transport, Fate and Impact of Micro- and Nanoplastic on Their Way to the Oceans
Description
Time: 06:30 PM
Date: 7/6/2023
Room: Mezzanine