Monitoring polymer-bearing sediment loads in flowing waters poses significant challenges: spatial and temporal variability, fluctuating contamination levels, and the need to combine both integrative and discrete sampling strategies. This requires mobile, robust, and space-efficient systems that can be seamlessly integrated into existing monitoring stations or operated directly in open water.

Standardized Sampling of Polymer-Containing Sediment Loads

In collaboration with the German Environment Agency (UBA), we developed exactly such a system: the Mobile Sieve Tower – an advanced and standardized evolution of the classic filter tower for time-resolved sampling and fractionation of sediment and polymer loads. It is suitable for both field applications and laboratory use, providing reliable and continuous data collection even under demanding environmental conditions.

• Optimized flow design to reduce clogging and filter cake formation – a major improvement over conventional filter towers

• Intelligent monitoring with an integrated backwater detection sensor featuring optical and acoustic alerts

• Continuous operation with dual sieve cascades that allow uninterrupted sampling during sieve changes

• Extended sampling intervals enabling the recording of full daily cycles – significantly longer than possible with flow centrifuges

• Precise quantification through weighing of collected material using a laboratory precision balance

• Aliquot sub-sampling in the outflow for subsequent analysis of finer particle fractions

Background: Microplastics and PFAS in water bodies

Microplastic particles are found in alarmingly high concentrations in all natural water bodies. The identification, quantification, and effective removal of these pollutants from the urban water cycle must become an integral part of urban water management if we are to seriously address this problem. Representative sampling is the first step in investigating the spread, loads, type, and origin of microplastics in the aquatic environment.

Tower structure

• Two sieve towers

• Pump

• Backwater detection

• Optical-acoustic signaling unit

• Option of sampling the outlet water

• Switching output

• Quick couplings

Operating parameters

• Max. flow rate 20 l/min
• Mesh size 500, 100, 50 μm
• 24V Power supply

Folder Sedimentation & Sieve tower

Project RUSEKU