We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Source tracking microplastics pollution from Qarasu basin rivers to Gorgan Bay, Caspian Sea
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers tracked microplastic pollution from eight rivers in the Qarasu basin, Iran, to Gorgan Bay in the Caspian Sea across forest, residential, and agricultural land uses, finding MPs in 87% of fish sampled across nine species and identifying residential land use as a primary driver of elevated microplastic concentrations.
Abstract Concerns about the negative effects of MPs on human health have led to increasing attention to the occurrence of MPs in the aquatic environment. Recent studies have focus from the marine environment to inland waters, particularly the spatio-temporal distribution of MPs in rivers for residential and agricultural area. Qarasu river basin, watershed to Gorgan Bay, is the site of many permanent rivers and the levels of MP pollution in those rivers are unknown. This research was conducted in three different type of land use: forest, residential and agricultural along 8 different rivers. A total of 9 fish species were identified and the presence of MPs in 87% of fish was confirmed. The prevalence of MP among species was Liza sp.> C.gibelio> G.holbrooki> R.rutilus> N.melanostomus> C.carpio = V.vimba> R.frisii> Barbus sp. The highest frequency of MPs was observed in Qarasu river (1880 ± 251 n/kg) and Mohammadabad river (184 ± 1340 n/kg) in agricultural land use, the lowest frequency was related to Baghu and Ziarat rivers with 660 ± 77 and 600 ±91 n / kg was found in forest land use respectively. The highest type, color and size of MP sediments were fragment, black and 1-2 mm, respectively. The highest type, color and size of MP in fishes were fiber, black and 0.5-0.1mm respectively. Overally according to the source tracking result, agricultural land use was the main source of MP pollution of Gorgan Bay. The Bay is strongly affected by the incoming rivers, the Qarasu River Basin as the most important river supplying water.
More Papers Like This
Different land uses influenced on characteristics and distribution of microplastics in Qarasu Basin Rivers, Gorgan Bay, Caspian Sea
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers surveyed microplastics in sediments and fish from rivers in the Qarasu Basin flowing into the Caspian Sea across three land use types: forest, residential, and agricultural. Agricultural areas showed the highest microplastic concentrations in both sediments and fish, and 87% of all fish examined contained microplastics.
Distribution of microplastics in upstream and downstream surface waters of the Iranian rivers discharging to the southern Caspian Sea
AI summary Read the abstract
This study mapped the spatial and seasonal distribution of microplastics in surface waters of 13 rivers discharging into the Caspian Sea in Iran, providing baseline contamination data for a region previously lacking systematic microplastic monitoring.
Effect of land use on microplastic pollution in a major boundary waterway: The Arvand River
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers conducted the first assessment of microplastic pollution in Iran's Arvand River, finding contamination levels varied with adjacent land use, with higher concentrations near urban and industrial areas in both water and sediment samples.
Source of plastic contamination of the rivers ending to the Gorgan Bay, southeast of the Caspian Sea, Iran
AI summary Read the abstract
Sediment samples from four rivers flowing into the Gorgan Bay on the southeast Caspian Sea coast contained on average 333 microplastic particles per kilogram, with the highest concentrations near river mouths where fishing, boating, and tourism activity is concentrated. Fibers made up 68% of all particles, and polyethylene and polypropylene were the dominant polymers. The study identifies these rivers as active conduits carrying microplastic pollution from inland sources into the Caspian Sea, one of the world's largest enclosed bodies of water.
Influence of land uses on microplastic abundance and composition in surface waters and sediments of Sefidroud River, Iran
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists found tiny plastic particles (microplastics) in both the water and riverbed sediment of Iran's Sefidroud River, with the highest amounts near sewage and farming areas, mostly tiny plastic fibers likely from clothing, fishing gear, and packaging waste. This matters because this river flows into the Caspian Sea, meaning these plastics, and whatever chemicals they carry, can end up in fish and seafood that people eat, making better wastewater treatment and plastic waste management important steps for protecting both the environment and human health.
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.