---
OA_type: closed access
_id: '19015'
abstract:
- lang: eng
  text: When microplastics (MPs) enter water bodies, they undergo various transport
    processes, including sedimentation, which can be influenced by factors such as
    particle size, density, and interactions with other particles. Surface waters
    contain suspended natural particles (e.g., clay and silt), which may impact MP
    settling rates. Here, we investigated how the presence of suspended sediments
    (SS) influenced the deposition patterns and rates of MPs in turbid waters. We
    systematically analyzed the settling velocities of particles, including different
    MP sizes and SS concentrations, in a plexiglass column with a camera array. For
    each experimental variant, we collected data on thousands of individual MPs, strengthening
    the statistical analysis of the particles’ velocities. Simultaneous measurements
    of the SS flow and MPs trajectories revealed that the SS induced complex flow
    patterns, with MPs spending more time in downwelling flow regions, thereby accelerating
    MPs sedimentation. This effect was more pronounced when SS were aggregated. Additionally,
    we found that smaller MP fragments were more affected by the fluctuations than
    spheres or larger fragments. Collectively, our results provide valuable data for
    future MP fate models and help to understand the sedimentation processes of MPs
    in natural waters, which is crucial for assessing their environmental transport
    and impact.
acknowledgement: F.P. and D.M.M. were funded through the Swiss National Science Foundation
  (grant number PCEFP2_186856).
article_processing_charge: No
article_type: original
author:
- first_name: Francesco
  full_name: Parrella, Francesco
  last_name: Parrella
- first_name: Stefano
  full_name: Brizzolara, Stefano
  id: 4bbe33b8-c59a-11ee-a1af-fa33d1ac42c4
  last_name: Brizzolara
- first_name: Markus
  full_name: Holzner, Markus
  last_name: Holzner
- first_name: Denise M.
  full_name: Mitrano, Denise M.
  last_name: Mitrano
citation:
  ama: 'Parrella F, Brizzolara S, Holzner M, Mitrano DM. Microplastics settling in
    turbid water: Impacts of sediments-induced flow patterns on particle deposition
    rates. <i>Environmental Science and Technology</i>. 2025;59(4):2257-2265. doi:<a
    href="https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.4c10551">10.1021/acs.est.4c10551</a>'
  apa: 'Parrella, F., Brizzolara, S., Holzner, M., &#38; Mitrano, D. M. (2025). Microplastics
    settling in turbid water: Impacts of sediments-induced flow patterns on particle
    deposition rates. <i>Environmental Science and Technology</i>. American Chemical
    Society. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.4c10551">https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.4c10551</a>'
  chicago: 'Parrella, Francesco, Stefano Brizzolara, Markus Holzner, and Denise M.
    Mitrano. “Microplastics Settling in Turbid Water: Impacts of Sediments-Induced
    Flow Patterns on Particle Deposition Rates.” <i>Environmental Science and Technology</i>.
    American Chemical Society, 2025. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.4c10551">https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.4c10551</a>.'
  ieee: 'F. Parrella, S. Brizzolara, M. Holzner, and D. M. Mitrano, “Microplastics
    settling in turbid water: Impacts of sediments-induced flow patterns on particle
    deposition rates,” <i>Environmental Science and Technology</i>, vol. 59, no. 4.
    American Chemical Society, pp. 2257–2265, 2025.'
  ista: 'Parrella F, Brizzolara S, Holzner M, Mitrano DM. 2025. Microplastics settling
    in turbid water: Impacts of sediments-induced flow patterns on particle deposition
    rates. Environmental Science and Technology. 59(4), 2257–2265.'
  mla: 'Parrella, Francesco, et al. “Microplastics Settling in Turbid Water: Impacts
    of Sediments-Induced Flow Patterns on Particle Deposition Rates.” <i>Environmental
    Science and Technology</i>, vol. 59, no. 4, American Chemical Society, 2025, pp.
    2257–65, doi:<a href="https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.4c10551">10.1021/acs.est.4c10551</a>.'
  short: F. Parrella, S. Brizzolara, M. Holzner, D.M. Mitrano, Environmental Science
    and Technology 59 (2025) 2257–2265.
date_created: 2025-02-09T23:01:50Z
date_published: 2025-01-27T00:00:00Z
date_updated: 2025-09-30T10:27:26Z
day: '27'
department:
- _id: BjHo
doi: 10.1021/acs.est.4c10551
external_id:
  isi:
  - '001406914100001'
  pmid:
  - '39868426'
fulldoi: https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.4c10551
intvolume: '        59'
isi: 1
issue: '4'
language:
- iso: eng
month: '01'
oa_version: None
page: 2257-2265
pmid: 1
publication: Environmental Science and Technology
publication_identifier:
  eissn:
  - 1520-5851
  issn:
  - 0013-936X
publication_status: published
publisher: American Chemical Society
quality_controlled: '1'
scopus_import: '1'
status: public
title: 'Microplastics settling in turbid water: Impacts of sediments-induced flow
  patterns on particle deposition rates'
type: journal_article
user_id: 317138e5-6ab7-11ef-aa6d-ffef3953e345
volume: 59
year: '2025'
...