Microplastic Fiber Contamination in Lake Matoaka: Method Development and Baseline Assessment

This study aimed to develop a reliable and reproducible methodology for detecting and quantifying microplastic fibers in the surface waters and Asian clam (Corbicula fluminea) populations of Lake Matoaka, a freshwater system vulnerable to pollution. Through a combination of optical microscopy, Microscope Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (M-FTIR), and logistic regression modeling, this research established the first baseline dataset of microplastic contamination in the lake. Results revealed widespread fiber contamination, with viscose (cellophane) as the dominant polymer type, with minor contributions from synthetics such as PET and polyacrylics. Higher microplastic concentrations were found in sections of the lake adjacent to greater human activity. Asian clams demonstrated significant microplastic accumulation relative to laboratory blanks, supporting their use of suspension-feeding bivalves as bioindicators. The findings not only validate the developed methodology but also underscore the ecological risks posed by microfiber pollution and highlight the urgent need for standardized freshwater microplastic monitoring and local mitigation strategies.