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Occurrence characteristics of microplastics in Dongting Lake, China
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Dongting Lake in central China, one of the country's largest freshwater lakes, was found to contain microplastics across all sampled locations, with concentrations in sediments reflecting the lake's role as a long-term pollution sink. Researchers developed an improved risk model combining statistical uncertainty analysis with ecological sensitivity data to better estimate the threat microplastics pose to aquatic species. The study highlights how large lakes can accumulate and concentrate microplastics transported from surrounding agricultural and urban land.
Abstract Lakes are critical sinks for terrigenous microplastics (MPs), yet understanding their ecological risks remains hindered by data uncertainties and the absence of local background values. In this study, an enhanced pollution load index ( PLI ) model integrating stochastic mathematical methods and species sensitivity distributions (SSD) was developed. The model was applied to assess and predict the ecological risk posed by MPs in the surface water and sediments of Dongting Lake, the second‐largest freshwater lake in China. Results revealed average MP abundances of 4889 (range: 1667–9667) items/m 3 in surface water and 7058 (range: 3935–10,736) items/kg in sediments within the Dongting Lake District. Small microplastics accounted for 90% of total MP particles, predominantly as polyethylene fragments. SSD‐derived predicted no‐effect concentrations values were determined as 8620 items/m³ for water and 7022 items/kg for sediments. While surface water exhibited low MP pollution risk and sediments were classified as unpolluted, both compartments showed signs of potential pollution escalation, suggesting non‐negligible ecological risks. Through conditional fragmentation modeling, primary MP sources were identified as Yangtze River upstream inputs, atmospheric deposition, and soil erosion. In conclusion, the enhanced PLI model demonstrates effective ecological risk assessment and forecasting capabilities across environmental media, providing strategic insights for lake MP pollution mitigation.
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Microplastics in Sediment and Surface Water of West Dongting Lake and South Dongting Lake: Abundance, Source and Composition
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Microplastics were found in both surface water and sediments of West Dongting Lake and South Dongting Lake in China, with fibers and fragments as the dominant types and concentrations influenced by proximity to urban and agricultural land use. The study provides the first data on microplastic contamination in China's second-largest freshwater lake system.
Hydrodynamic driven microplastics in Dongting Lake, China: Quantification of the flux and transportation
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Researchers developed a framework combining field monitoring with numerical simulation to quantify microplastic transport in Dongting Lake, a large freshwater lake in China. They estimated that roughly 199 trillion microplastic items entered and 129 trillion exited the lake in 2021, and identified four key accumulation zones overlapping with nature reserves and agricultural areas. The study suggests that these accumulation patterns pose considerable risks to both ecological biodiversity and food security.
Investigation on microplastic pollution of Dongting Lake and its affiliated rivers
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Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination in Dongting Lake and its affiliated rivers in China, collecting 15 surface water and 15 sediment samples from across the lake district and finding microplastic abundances of 0.62-4.31 items/m3 in water and 21-52 items/100 g dry weight in sediments. Fibers dominated and the results indicate the lake system is a significant microplastic sink fed by surrounding river networks.
Distribution characteristics and risk assessment of microplastics in Lake Bosten
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Researchers systematically investigated the distribution, characteristics, and ecological risks of microplastics in Bosten Lake — China's largest inland freshwater lake — finding surface water abundances of 1.33-9.43 items/L and sediment concentrations of 152-953 items/kg dry weight dominated by white and black polypropylene fibers and fragments. Potential sources include residential activities, tourism, agriculture, and fisheries, with seasonal variation in risk and an overall high-risk designation using the potential ecological risk index.
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