The study aims to assess the microplastics on randomly selected points along Molawin River from headwaters to downstream. Specifically the study aims to:
1. Determine the quantity and distribution of microplastics, in terms of number and mass, at specific sites along river continuum;
2. Determine the relationship between sediment grain size and microplastic load at specific sites along river continuum; and
3. Determine the relationship between water flow rate and microsplastic load at specific sites along river continuum.
Firstly, it depends on the objective of your research. If you research question is the influence of sediment property and flow regime on micro-plastic distribution, I agree with Ken on using regression model.
One aspect you should be careful is the correlation between sites. This will bias your regression fit. Given that you are sampling along the river, upstream and downstream sites will be correlated. I would suggest using some dynamic model to evaluate flow changes along sites. Try to add some spatially explicit assessment using GIS and develop some basic information through classification of the sites. You could then move to statistical analysis by incorporating this spatial relationship.
multivariate analysis (cluster analysis, principal component analysis, factor analysis) may good solution for answering your question.
- Badges
- Science topic