Spatial Variations in Microfiber Transport in a Transnational River Basin

Five countries share the catchment of Tisza River (Central Europe). In most households electricity and water are available, by washing synthetic clothes they can produce a large number microfibers. However, in many sub-catchments river, wastewater treatment is insufficient; therefore, microplastics (MP), especially plastic microfiber emissions into rivers, represent problem. Our goal was to analyze suspended sediment transport at low stage, making repeated (2021 2022) measurements (946 km) 26 sites across three countries. Water sampling performed pumping 1 m3 through sieves (90–200 µm). The mean MP 2021 19 ± 13.6 items/m3, but it increased 17% 2022 (22.4 14.8 items/m3). polluted sections were Upper (Ukraine, Hungary) Lower (Serbia), where not satisfactory, whereas Middle (Hungary) less polluted. tributaries budget main river. Microfibers dominate (84–97%) transport, thus be determined that originated from wastewater. influenced availability plants, dams, tributaries, mobilization bottom sediments. At no connection found between particle transport.