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Trailing the flow: source, fate and sink of microplastics in global rivers
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This review synthesized global research on microplastic pollution in rivers, covering sources, entry routes, and the key processes governing transport and transformation—including weathering, aggregation, sinking, and resuspension—along with ecotoxicological and socioeconomic impacts. Because rivers are the primary conduit transferring land-based microplastics to the ocean, understanding riverine dynamics is essential for designing effective interception strategies before contamination reaches marine food webs and human seafood supplies.
Microplastics are emerging pollutants in riverine ecosystems, causing significant environmental issues due to their ecological and socioeconomic impacts. To date, extensive research has primarily focused on the marine environment, while freshwater microplastics have remained underexplored. Since rivers serve as a conduit for microplastics from land to ocean, the relevance of understanding the mechanism of fate and transport of microplastics in rivers is now recognised. This review provides an overview of microplastic pollution in global rivers and their source and routes of entry. It also examines the key processes that govern the transport and transformation of microplastics in rivers, including weathering, sinking, aggregation, retention, and resuspension. Additionally, the review highlights the interaction with pollutants and their role in ecotoxicological impacts and associated socioeconomic impacts. Furthermore, some advanced techniques used in fate and transport studies, mitigatory measures, research gaps, and future research directions are also discussed. By covering a wide range of aspects related to microplastics in rivers, this review attempts to establish a deeper understanding of the fate and transport of microplastics, guiding future studies and mitigation efforts.
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Rivers function as the primary transport corridors for microplastics from land-based sources to oceans, carrying particles downstream through complex hydrological and biological interactions. Targeting river pollution hotspots with intervention measures is one of the most impactful strategies available for reducing the total global flux of microplastics into marine environments.
Impact and Fate of Microplastics in the Riverine Ecosystem
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Researchers reviewed the fate, transport, and ecological impacts of microplastics in riverine ecosystems, finding that rivers serve as major conduits for microplastic transfer from terrestrial sources to oceans and that riverine biota face significant exposure-related health risks.
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Rivers serve as both reservoirs and transport highways for microplastic pollution, carrying particles from inland sources to lakes and marine environments while exposing freshwater organisms to contamination along the way. River-borne microplastics directly threaten drinking water quality and aquatic biodiversity worldwide.
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Researchers reviewed global evidence of microplastic contamination in rivers and lakes, finding that plastic particles serve as carriers for toxic chemicals, harm aquatic life through ingestion and entanglement, and enter human food and water supplies, while also exploring plant-based plastic alternatives that could reduce future pollution.
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Researchers systematically reviewed the literature on microplastic sources and transport pathways in freshwater systems across Asia, finding that plastic pollution in rivers and lakes is a rapidly growing concern across the region with increasing published evidence.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.