We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Impacts of rainfall and lakeshore soil properties on microplastics in inland freshwater: A case study in Donghu Lake, China
AI summary Read the abstract
Microplastic pollution in Donghu Lake, the largest urban freshwater lake in China, was investigated to examine how rainfall and lakeshore soil properties influence microplastic occurrence independent of direct human activities. Baseline microplastic abundance was 5.84 items per liter, with rainfall events significantly increasing concentrations by washing particles from surrounding soils.
Microplastic (MP) pollution has garnered global attention in recent years. Although anthropogenic factors have been extensively studied for their impacts on MP pollution, there is still a lack of research on the relationship between non-anthropogenic factors and MP occurrence in inland freshwater. This study investigated MP pollution in Donghu Lake, the largest urban freshwater lake in China, to examine the effects of rainfall and lakeshore soil properties on MP pollution. The MP abundance in the surface water of Donghu Lake was 5.84 ± 2.95 items per L under the equilibrium state. However, during and after rainfall, the MP abundances significantly increased to 8.27 ± 5.65 items per L and 7.60 ± 4.04 items per L, respectively (p < 0.05). This increase could be attributed to an increase in the amount of MPs transported to the lake via atmospheric deposition and rainfall runoff, as well as the re-suspension of MP debris in sediment during stronger hydrodynamics. A statistically significant negative correlation was observed between MP abundance and lakeshore soil particle size. It suggested that a high proportion of large-sized soil particles created large pores that enabled MPs to be deposited in the surface layer of soil to migrate to deeper layers. As a result, the amount of MPs in the surface soil and transported to the lake via surface runoff was low. It is of practical significance to understand the sources and distribution impact factors of MPs in urban lakes. The fate and effects of MPs retained in the inland freshwater environments should receive more attention.
More Papers Like This
Distribution Characteristics and Source Analysis of Microplastics in Urban Freshwater Lakes: A Case Study in Songshan Lake of Dongguan, China
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found microplastics in both surface water and sediments of Songshan Lake, an urban freshwater lake in China, identifying fiber shapes as dominant and using principal component analysis to trace sources including atmospheric deposition, runoff, and recreational activities.
Microplastics in Sediment and Surface Water of West Dongting Lake and South Dongting Lake: Abundance, Source and Composition
AI summary Read the abstract
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.
[Spatiotemporal distribution and multi-source characteristics of microplastics in the soil and water environment of Poyang Lake Wetland, China].
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated spatiotemporal patterns of microplastic contamination in surface water and sediments across Poyang Lake Wetland, China's largest freshwater lake, during both wet and dry seasons. Microplastic abundance in water ranged from 32 to 296 particles per liter and from 460 to 1,369 particles per kilogram in sediment, with levels higher than many comparable freshwater wetlands globally. Beads, fragments, films, and fibers were the dominant forms, with temporal and spatial differences observed across the sampled rivers and confluence zones.
Effects of lakeshore landcover types and environmental factors on microplastic distribution in lakes on the Inner Mongolia Plateau, China
AI summary Read the abstract
This study measured microplastic contamination in lakes across the Inner Mongolia Plateau and found levels ranging from 0.5 to 12.6 particles per liter in water, with polypropylene being the most common type. Lakes near farmland and human activity had the highest contamination, showing that agriculture and tourism are major sources of microplastic pollution. The findings are relevant because these lakes serve as water sources for surrounding communities.
Distribution and sedimentation of microplastics in Taihu Lake
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers surveyed microplastic abundance in water, sediment, and inflowing rivers of Taihu Lake, China's third-largest freshwater lake, finding widespread contamination with fibers as the dominant type and higher concentrations near urban and agricultural shorelines.
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.