Specialists from the TSU Biological Institute, together with colleagues from Uzbekistan, conducted the first study of microplastics in one of the country’s major rivers, the Zarafshan, which plays an important role in irrigating fields. Analysis of water samples showed that the polluting components in it differ from the types of microplastics in other water bodies.
The research results are published in the latest issue of the journal Green Analytical Chemistry  (Q2).
– Microplastic particles (from one micron to five millimeters) pose a great threat to aquatic ecosystems due to their widespread distribution and ability to accumulate toxic substances. However, this problem is poorly studied in Central Asia: only three scientific articles on this topic have been published to date, – says Yulia Frank, Director of the Center for the Study of Microplastics in the Environment at TSU Biological Institute. – Samples for analysis of the Zarafshan River were collected by our colleagues from Andijan State University. The analysis of the samples was conducted at the TSU Center for Collective Use.
There is currently a tendency among experts to rethink the sources of river pollution with microplastics. In recent years, it has become obvious that in many places around the world, the main source is synthetic textiles. According to Yulia Frank, this trace is most striking in the rivers of Uzbekistan, since the country has a highly developed textile industry.
– In 2023, particles in the Chirchik and Karadarya rivers were mainly represented by polyethylene terephthalate (polyester) fibers, – notes the TSU scientist. – Comparing the average concentrations of microplastics in these rivers with the indicators for Zarafshan, we can say that the pollution is at about the same level (<10 particles per cubic meter of water). However, Zarafshan contained more secondary microplastics – fragments and films that form from larger plastic objects.
The secondary microplastic particles present in the water of the Zarafshan River are believed to be associated with pollution sources such as household waste, vehicle paintwork and road markings.
Currently, TSU biologists, together with scientists from Andijan University, are working on an article where they systematize data on the content of microplastics in five more Uzbek rivers. Yulia Frank notes that such studies, especially in cooperation with other countries, create a foundation for the development of future monitoring systems and state standards in this area.
– These are fundamental studies that help to understand the level and sources of microplastic pollution. They can be used as a starting point when developing a system of state control and monitoring, – explains Yulia Aleksandrovna. – Currently, microplastic in water bodies is not monitored at the state level either in Russia or in other countries. This is partly due to the fact that the level of pollution in many places is unknown. In addition, the methodology is imperfect, it is necessary to develop uniform standards.
It should be added that the survey of the main rivers of Uzbekistan for microplastics was launched in 2022 as part of cooperation with Tomsk State University. Scientists from Uzbekistan have repeatedly completed internships at TSU, where they mastered sampling technologies and analysis methods.
The study of the Zarafshan River was conducted within the framework of  the consortium “Microplastics in the Environment” , created under the auspices of TSU. The consortium includes Russian and foreign scientific centers studying the problem of microplastics. Among them is Andijan State University, which took part in the latest work on assessing the pollution of the Zarafshan River.
Research into environmental pollution by microplastics corresponds to the goals and objectives of the TSU strategic project  “Global Changes in the Earth: Climate, Ecology, Quality of Life” . This strategic direction is supported by the federal program “Priority 2030”.
https://naked-science.ru/article/column/reke-v-uzbekistane