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Microplastics in Yliki Lake, Greece: An Explorative Study
Summary
An exploratory survey of Yliki Lake — a drinking water reservoir supplying Athens, Greece — found microplastic fragments and fibers at three of ten sampling locations, likely originating from surrounding agricultural activities and recreational fishing. The finding that MPs are present even in a source water reservoir highlights the need for routine monitoring of drinking water supplies for plastic contamination.
Microplastics can enter waters from surface run-off and atmospheric deposition. An exploratory study was undertaken to assess microplastic pollution in the natural lake of Yliki, an auxiliary drinking water reservoir supplying the network of Athens, Greece. Samples taken over the ~25 km2 area of the lake revealed the presence of fragments and fibers at three out of ten locations, possibly from agriculture in the surrounding area or fishing in the lake. The findings highlight the ubiquitous nature of plastics and the need for regulated assessment of water supplies for environmental and human health protection.