Impacts of microplastic concentrations and sizes on the rheology properties of lake sediments

Abstract

The information concerning the effects of microplastics (MPs) on lake sediment environment, particularly structural properties, is still scant. This study aimed to investigate the effect of MPs characteristics (including concentration and size) on the sediment rheological properties, which affected sediment resuspension. After 60-day experiments, it was found that (0.5–2 %) MP in sediments decreased sediment viscosity, yield stress, and flow point shear stress by 14.7–38.4 %, 3.9–24.1 % and 13.5–36.5 %. Besides, sediment (with 50 μm MP addition) yield stress and flow point shear stress also dropped by 1.1–14.1 % and 9.6–12.9 % compared to 100 and 200 μm MP addition. The instability in sediment structure could be attributed to MP-induced EPS production and cation exchange capacity (CEC) changes. Accordingly, the decreases in rheological properties induced by different sizes and concentrations MPs might facilitate the sediments resuspension with wind and wave disturbances. The study shed light on previously overlooked environmental issues caused by MPs characteristics from a new perspective, thereby enhancing our understanding about the environmental behavior of MPs in lake sediment ecosystems.