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«IZVESTIYA IRKUTSKOGO GOSUDARSTVENNOGO UNIVERSITETA». SERIYA «NAUKI O ZEMLE»
«THE BULLETIN OF IRKUTSK STATE UNIVERSITY». SERIES «EARTH SCIENCES»
ISSN 2073-3402 (Print)

List of issues > Series «Earth Sciences». 2026. Vol 56

Seasonal Dynamics of Microplastic Particles Content in the Tsna River Near the City of Tambov in 2024

Author(s)

M. E. Bukovskiy, K. S. Neprokina, T. I. Zinovieva

Derzhavin Tambov State University, Tambov, Russian Federation

Abstract
Microplastic pollution of rivers is a pressing issue of our time. In the environment, plastic does not decompose into simple and safe components. However, plastics can degrade under the influence of physical and chemical processes into small particles. These particles can penetrate the barrier mechanisms of living organisms, enter them and become cause of various diseases. Currently, some scientists are studying the effects of plastic particles on living organisms, while others are monitoring all living environments and food products for the presence of these particles. These are two research areas that should be conducted in parallel order to respond to the environmental problem of plastic pollution as effectively and quickly as possible. The Tambov region is an economically significant region in Russia. The city of Tambov is the regional center and the largest city in the region. The Tsna River is one of the longest rivers in the Tambov region and flows through the city of Tambov. The river has great economic and recreational importance. Therefore, it is important to understand the extent to which the Tsna River is contaminated with microplastics. The purpose of our work is to determine the seasonal dynamics of the microplastic particle content in the Tsna River near the city of Tambov. The study used surface water samples from the Tsna River upstream and downstream of Tambov. The water samples were collected at five locations in July-August and November-December 2024. Water samples were collected using a metal stainless mesh net with a 40 μm mesh size. Each water sample had a volume of 2 m3. The water samples were analyzed using the «Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment: recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments (NOAA Technical Memorandum)». During the study, a number of measures were taken to prevent cross-contamination of the samples. The «blank sample» method was used to control sample contamination and ensure the quality of the analysis for microplastic particles during the microscopic examination stage. The qualitative analysis of microplastic particles was performed using the “hot needle” method. Based on our findings, we have made the following conclusions: the Tsna River is capable of self-purification, but it is affected by anthropogenic pollution from large cities and settlements located near the river; the Tsna River contains predominantly small fractions of microplastic particles in its waters; the species composition is represented mainly by fibers and fragments, which are potentially more dangerous than films, granules and spheres; the color spectrum of the detected microplastic particles is diverse, but the predominant colors are white and colorless.
About the Authors

Bukovskiy Mikhail Evgenievich, Candidate of Sciences (Geography), Head, Laboratory for Monitoring Agro-Climatic and Water-Resource Potentials of the Territories Derzhavin Tambov State University 33, Internatsionalnaya st., Tambov, 392036, Russian Federation e-mail: mikezzz@mail.ru 

Neprokina Kseniya Sergeevna, Research Scientist, Laboratory for Monitoring Agro-Climatic and Water-Resource Potentials of the Territories Derzhavin Tambov State University 33, Internatsionalnaya st., Tambov, 392036, Russian Federation e-mail: kolkova-kseniya@mail.ru 

Zinovieva Tatyana Igorevna, Student Derzhavin Tambov State University 33, Internatsionalnaya st., Tambov, 392036, Russian Federation e-mail: zinovieva.t4tyana@yandex.ru

For citation
Bukovskiy M.E., Neprokina K.S., Zinovieva T.I. Seasonal Dynamics of Microplastic Particles Content in the Tsne River Near the City of Tambov in 2024. The Bulletin of Irkutsk State University. Series Earth Sciences, 2026, vol. 56, pp. 53-69. https://doi.org/10.26516/2073-3402.2026.56.53 (in Russian)
Keywords
microplastics, river pollution, water quality monitoring, Tsna river, Tambov city.
UDC
504.4.054 (470.326)
DOI
https://doi.org/10.26516/2073-3402.2026.56.53
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