Is There a Difference in Yield? A Comparative Analysis of Microplastics Sampling Techniques in River Water with a Low-Velocity Flow

Microplastics are currently a significant pollutant of concern, and many researchers are studying them as they fall under the category of anthropogenic pollutants. Numerous researchers have also proposed various methods for sampling microplastics in both sediment and water within riverine environments. However, studies quantifying the detailed abundance of microplastics in different methods are insufficient, especially in the surface water environment. Hence, this study goals to demonstrate the differences in abundance and characteristics of microplastics using three sampling methods: plankton net, bucket, and pump, all with the same volume of 1000 liters. A key finding of this study is that statistical analysis revealed no significant differences among the methods in terms of microplastic abundance and characteristics. The selection of an appropriate sampling method for microplastics should be based on the characteristics of the river environment, such as flow velocity, depth, and channel width.