We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Freshwater Pollution by Plastics – Transboundary Pollution and Liability
Summary
This legal analysis examined the environmental and health risks of plastic and microplastic pollution in freshwater systems, reviewing the existing international and national legal frameworks for addressing transboundary pollution. The authors identified significant gaps in liability and enforcement mechanisms for freshwater microplastic contamination.
This study examines the environmental and health risks posed by microplastics and plastics and analyses the existing legal framework addressing their impact. Microplastics are widespread pollutants affecting water sources, ecosystems, and potentially human health. Their presence in the freshwater and marine environments disrupts biodiversity, contaminates drinking water, and introduces toxic substances into food chains. Despite growing concerns, regulation remains challenging due to their mobility and persistence, as well as the lack of relevant data. This article thus analyses the legal liability for plastic pollution in view of international, European, and Czech environmental law. It also evaluates whether current regulations address the threats posed by microplastics adequately and explores possible legal measures to enhance environmental protection and liability.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Microplastic Pollution in Freshwater – Regulatory Barriers for Better Water Protection
This review examines regulatory barriers to freshwater microplastic protection, analyzing the limitations of existing water quality frameworks in addressing microplastic pollution in rivers and lakes. The authors argue that jurisdictional fragmentation, lack of standardized monitoring methods, and absence of enforceable microplastic-specific limits prevent effective water protection.
Microplastics in Freshwater Environments
This chapter reviews microplastic pollution across freshwater environments including rivers, lakes, groundwater, glaciers, and deltas, identifying knowledge gaps and highlighting risks to freshwater ecosystems and human health from widespread plastic contamination.
International Law and Regulation of Marine Microplastics: Current Situation, Problems, and Development
This study evaluated the current international legal framework governing marine microplastic pollution and identified significant gaps in regulatory coverage. Researchers found that existing global and regional legal instruments lack the specificity and enforcement mechanisms needed to effectively address microplastic contamination. The study offers recommendations for strengthening international law to better regulate the sources and impacts of marine microplastic pollution.
Freshwater Microplastics: Challenges for Regulation and Management
This book chapter reviews the regulatory and management challenges posed by microplastic contamination of freshwater systems, noting that most policy attention has focused on marine environments. The authors call for freshwater-specific monitoring frameworks and coordinated international action to reduce plastic inputs to rivers and lakes.
Plastic pollution in marine and freshwater biota
Researchers compiled a special issue reviewing the current science on plastic pollution — including micro- and nanoplastics — in marine and freshwater environments, identifying key gaps in understanding how these particles move through ecosystems and harm aquatic life. The collection aims to support stronger science-based environmental policies addressing plastic pollution in aquatic systems.