article · Environmental Processes
While microplastics research in South Africa has historically concentrated on coastal and marine environments, this study evaluates microplastic pollution within freshwater surface waters of the Vaal River. Twenty-two surface water samples were collected across a sixty-kilometre stretch in the middle reaches of the river and analysed using microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. Microplastics were detected across all sampling points, with concentrations ranging between 0.13 and 2.52 particles per cubic metre. The vast majority of these particles measured under two millimetres in size, with synthetic fibres and fragments constituting over eighty percent of the collected material. Green, black, and blue were the most frequent colours observed. Chemical profiling identified the polymers as high-density polyethylene, polypropylene, and low-density polyethylene, alongside colourants such as carbon black and pigment yellow 83.
The Vaal River is a critical freshwater resource in South Africa, yet its exposure to microplastic pollution has remained largely unmeasured compared to coastal areas. Demonstrating that plastic fibres and fragments are widely distributed across the river highlights an ongoing threat to river health. These findings supply essential baseline information necessary to guide environmental protection policies and freshwater pollution monitoring programmes.
This work represents early-stage baseline research rather than an applied commercial product. The baseline data and chemical profiling could be utilised by river catchment management agencies, municipal water authorities, and environmental monitoring services seeking to establish pollution benchmarks. However, the abstract does not indicate an explicit commercialisation pathway or direct technology development.
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Abstract Microplastics research in South Africa has focused on marine and coastal areas, with limited studies reporting microplastics in freshwaters. To address this gap, we conducted this study to investigate the presence, abundance, physical characteristics, and chemical composition of microplastics in the surface water of the Vaal River, one of the most important freshwater systems in South Africa. Twenty-two surface water samples were collected along 60 km of the middle part of the river using a 55 μm plankton net. Samples were treated by acid digestion, and MPs were separated by density separation. Physical identification was performed using a Nikon stereomicroscope, and chemical composition was identified using Raman spectroscopy. MPs were observed in all samples with 0.13 to 2.52 particles/m 3 concentrations. Microplastics ranged in size from 0.06 – 4.95 mm, with more than 89% less than 2 mm, and 81% were fragments (39%) and fibers (42%). Microplastics were observed in numerous colours, of which green, black, and blue were the most dominant, representing 22%, 19%, and 18%, respectively. Chemical analysis revealed the polymer types as high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP), and low-density polyethylene (LDPE). In addition, two colourants, pigment yellow 83 and carbon black, were detected. This study provides new data on microplastic occurrence and characteristics in the Vaal River system and offers a baseline for future monitoring. Our findings confirm that the Vaal River is under a real threat of microplastic contamination, which could impact its role as a significant freshwater system in South Africa. Highlights • Microplastics were prevalent in the surface water of the Vaal River. • Fibrous, small-sized, and coloured microplastics were most abundant. • Polymers were identified as HDPE, LDPE, and PP.
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DOI: 10.1007/s40710-024-00693-8
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