We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Microplastics in subsurface water and zooplankton from eight lakes in British Columbia
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers quantified microplastics in subsurface water and zooplankton from eight British Columbia lakes, finding polyester fibers as the dominant form, with no relationship between microplastic levels and local population density, suggesting atmospheric deposition and recreational activity as primary sources.
Microplastics are a global contaminant of concern, but we have little information on the characteristics and bioavailability of these pollutants in western Canadian lakes. Here, we quantify and characterize microplastics in subsurface water and zooplankton from eight lakes in BC, Canada. By sampling water and zooplankton, we provide insight into the fraction of microplastics entering the food web. We found 0.607 ± 0.153 microplastics per litre in subsurface water, 0.01 ± 0.011 microplastics per copepod, and 0.02 ± 0.014 microplastics per Daphnia. Microplastic pollution was similar in all lakes sampled and showed no relationship with local population density. Fibers were the dominant morphology observed in all lakes, and Raman spectroscopy identified polyester as the dominant polymer found both in lakes and within zooplankton. Zooplankton generally ingested microplastics that were shorter than their body length and that fell on the smaller end of the range of available microplastics. The prominence of polyester fibers and PET films and fragments suggests that the likely sources of microplastics to these lakes are recreational activities and atmospheric deposition.
More Papers Like This
Microplastic contamination in Lake Winnipeg, Canada
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated microplastic contamination in Lake Winnipeg, Canada, finding widespread pollution across the lake with fibers as the dominant particle type, reflecting inputs from the surrounding watershed and atmospheric deposition.
A Multicompartment Assessment of Microplastic Contamination in Semi-remote Boreal Lakes
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers assessed microplastic contamination across multiple compartments of semi-remote boreal lakes in northwestern Ontario, Canada. The study found that microplastics were present even in these relatively isolated oligotrophic lakes, with fibers being the dominant particle type, suggesting atmospheric deposition and limited local sources as likely pathways.
Microplastics and anthropogenic fibre concentrations in lakes reflect surrounding land use
AI summary Read the abstract
A survey of lakes across multiple land-use types found that microplastic and anthropogenic fiber concentrations reflected the intensity of surrounding human activity, with urban and agricultural catchments accumulating more particles than forested ones, and long water retention times allowing particles to concentrate over time.
High-levels of microplastic pollution in a large, remote, mountain lake
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers discovered high levels of microplastic pollution in a large, remote mountain lake, finding concentrations comparable to lakes in densely populated areas, suggesting that atmospheric deposition can deliver substantial microplastic loads to even isolated environments.
Microplastics in 132 Iowa lakes and variability in relation to abiotic, biotic, and anthropogenic factors
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers surveyed microplastic concentrations across 132 lakes in Iowa, finding that microplastics were nearly ubiquitous even in rural, minimally developed lakes — though concentrations were higher in lakes near urban areas, agricultural land, and higher human population density. Fiber-type microplastics were most common, consistent with patterns seen globally. The broad survey across diverse lake types provides compelling evidence that microplastic contamination of freshwater lakes is widespread across the American Midwest, not limited to industrial or highly urbanized regions.
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.