Universität zu Köln

Seidel, Pauline ORCID: 0009-0004-7402-4264, Rolf, Markus ORCID: 0000-0001-8448-3676, Holzinger, Anja, Gröbner, Marie ORCID: 0009-0001-7106-3979, Riedesel, Svenja ORCID: 0000-0003-2936-8776, Laermanns, Hannes ORCID: 0000-0002-6272-2688, Feldhaar, Heike, Laforsch, Christian, Loeder, Martin G. J. and Bogner, Christina ORCID: 0000-0003-4495-0676 (2025). Vertical distribution and post-depositional translocation of microplastics in a Rhine floodplain soil. Microplastics and Nanoplastics, 5 (1). pp. 1-14. Springer Nature. ISSN 2662-4966

PDF s43591-025-00142-9.pdf Bereitstellung unter der CC-Lizenz: Creative Commons Attribution. Download (3MB)

Abstract

[Artikel-Nr.: 34] Microplastics (MPs) are ubiquitous in the environment, but their vertical movement in undisturbed soils is poorly understood. This study investigates MP distribution and transport in one 110 cm soil profile from a Rhine River floodplain, Germany. Nine soil samples were analyzed for MP content, grain size distribution, bulk density, porosity, and organic carbon content. MPs (10 μm to 5 mm) were characterized by size, shape, and polymer type using ATR- FTIR and μFTIR. Biological activity was assessed through earthworm species identification and abundance, and sedi- ment deposition was dated using optically stimulated luminescence (OSL). To our knowledge, this is one of the first studies to integrate detailed field observations with dating results to draw conclusions about the vertical displace- ment of microplastics. MPs were detected at all depths, with 81.3%–96.6% being 10–150 μm in size, predominantly fragments and spheres. Concentrations peaked at 790,497 particles kg−1 dry soil between 38 and 45 cm, where root- and earthworm-formed macropores facilitated transport. Below this depth, reduced porosity limited movement, favoring smaller MPs. OSL dating indicated sedimentation before the 1950s/60s below 20 cm, suggesting vertical transport of MPs. Therefore, we would advise to be careful using small MPs as stratigraphic markers for the Anthro- pocene. Although analysing just one soil profile, this study highlights the role of biological activity and soil structure in MP translocation and emphasizes the need to account for small MPs in floodplain studies to avoid underestimating their environmental presence. Keywords Microplastic transport, OSL dating, FTIR spectroscopy, Bioturbation, Floodplain, Rhine river

Item Type:	Article
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID ORCID Put Code Seidel, Pauline UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0009-0004-7402-4264 UNSPECIFIED Rolf, Markus UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8448-3676 UNSPECIFIED Holzinger, Anja UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Gröbner, Marie UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0009-0001-7106-3979 UNSPECIFIED Riedesel, Svenja UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2936-8776 UNSPECIFIED Laermanns, Hannes UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6272-2688 UNSPECIFIED Feldhaar, Heike UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Laforsch, Christian UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Loeder, Martin G. J. UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Bogner, Christina UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4495-0676 UNSPECIFIED
URN:	urn:nbn:de:hbz:38-806161
Identification Number:	10.1186/s43591-025-00142-9
Journal or Publication Title:	Microplastics and Nanoplastics
Volume:	5
Number:	1
Page Range:	pp. 1-14
Number of Pages:	14
Date:	13 August 2025
Publisher:	Springer Nature
ISSN:	2662-4966
Language:	English
Faculty:	Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences
Divisions:	Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences > Department of Geosciences > Geographisches Institut
Subjects:	Life sciences
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Keywords Language Microplastic transport ; OSL dating ; FTIR spectroscopy ; Bioturbation ; Floodplain ; Rhine river English
['eprint_fieldname_oa_funders' not defined]:	Publikationsfonds UzK
Refereed:	Yes
URI:	http://kups.ub.uni-koeln.de/id/eprint/80616