We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Microplastics in multiple environmental media along a land-sea continuum: Distribution, critical source areas, and management priorities from sources to sinks
AI summary Read the abstract
This comprehensive study tracked microplastic distribution across surface water, groundwater, and sediments throughout the Jiulong River basin in China, identifying distinct polymer patterns by media and spatial hotspots in the lower reaches. Mapping microplastic flow from terrestrial sources through river corridors to estuaries is critical for identifying intervention points where pollution control can most effectively reduce the quantity of microplastics reaching coastal marine environments and seafood.
Microplastics (MPs) pose a huge threat as emerging contaminants, with rivers acting as critical pathways for their transport from terrestrial to marine environments. To comprehensively characterize the MP pollution from sources to estuaries, this study investigated the distribution, abundance, and other characteristics of MPs across multiple environmental media (e.g., surface water, groundwater, and sediments) within the Jiulong River basin, southeastern China. The results reveal the presence of MPs in all samples. Generally, the surface water and groundwater exhibited moderate-to-low MP abundance, while the sediments showed moderate-to-high MP abundance. Distinct distribution patterns of polymers were identified. Specifically, polyethylene (PE) predominated in the water samples, with mean contents of 47.32% in surface water and 50.35% in groundwater, while polyvinyl chloride (PVC) was primarily observed in sediments, with a mean content of 42.82%. MPs primarily appeared as fragments, fibers, and pellets in morphology. White MPs prevailed across varying media. MPs differed significantly in water bodies and sediments. In contrast, they resembled each other in surface water and groundwater, suggesting common pollution sources. A spatial analysis indicates the presence of three types of areas: general source areas in the upper reaches, critical source areas in the lower reaches, and dilution areas near the estuary. The findings provide a critical scientific basis for prioritizing MP pollution mitigation in pollution management. To protect the marine ecosystem, targeted source control measures are required for the critical source areas.
More Papers Like This
Sources, impacts and distribution of microplastics in different environmental matrices: a review
AI summary Read the abstract
This comprehensive review maps the sources, distribution, and environmental impacts of microplastics across marine, riverine, terrestrial, and atmospheric matrices, noting that riverine ecosystems and soil environments remain understudied relative to marine systems. The review underscores that microplastics permeate every environmental compartment — including drinking water sources and food commodities — making ubiquitous human exposure unavoidable without systemic interventions in plastic production and waste management.
Research progress on distribution, sources, identification, toxicity, and biodegradation of microplastics in the ocean, freshwater, and soil environment
AI summary Read the abstract
This comprehensive review maps the distribution, sources, identification methods, toxicity, and biodegradation of microplastics across oceanic, freshwater, and soil environments. The synthesis underscores that microplastics are persistent global pollutants with broad ecological and health impacts, while microbial biodegradation offers a promising avenue for remediation.
Microplastics in the Marine Environment: Sources, Distribution, Biological Effects and Socio-Economic Impacts
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers reviewed the sources, distribution, biological effects, and socioeconomic impacts of microplastic pollution in marine environments, finding that rivers and estuaries are the primary land-to-ocean transport pathways. The review emphasizes that microplastics transfer adsorbed pollutants and additives through food webs to top predators, and that reducing plastic production and improving waste management are essential long-term solutions.
Microplastic Pollution in Aquatic Ecosystems: A Comparative Review of Sources, Impacts, and Management in Marine and Freshwater Habitats
AI summary Read the abstract
This comparative review synthesized research on microplastic sources, distribution, and impacts across marine and freshwater environments, highlighting microbeads and polymer fragmentation as primary contamination drivers. Establishing a unified understanding of microplastic behavior across aquatic habitats is essential for designing monitoring frameworks that track human exposure through drinking water and seafood.
Research Progress of the Sources, Distribution Characteristics, and Potential Risks of Microplastics in the Global Marine Environment
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers reviewed 43 studies across 13 Asian countries and found suspended airborne microplastics ranging from 0.017 to 18,880 particles/m³ outdoors and up to 8,865 particles/m³ indoors, predominantly as fibers and fragments of polyethylene, polypropylene, and PET. The pervasiveness of airborne MPs across Asia—from megacities to ocean environments—demonstrates that inhalation is a significant and underappreciated human exposure route for these persistent pollutants.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.