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Microplastics and anthropogenic fibre concentrations in lakes reflect surrounding land use
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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.
Pollution from microplastics and anthropogenic fibres threatens lakes, but we know little about what factors predict its accumulation. Lakes may be especially contaminated because of long water retention times and proximity to pollution sources. Here, we surveyed anthropogenic microparticles, i.e., microplastics and anthropogenic fibres, in surface waters of 67 European lakes spanning 30° of latitude and large environmental gradients. By collating data from >2,100 published net tows, we found that microparticle concentrations in our field survey were higher than previously reported in lakes and comparable to rivers and oceans. We then related microparticle concentrations in our field survey to surrounding land use, water chemistry, and plastic emissions to sites estimated from local hydrology, population density, and waste production. Microparticle concentrations in European lakes quadrupled as both estimated mismanaged waste inputs and wastewater treatment loads increased in catchments. Concentrations decreased by 2 and 5 times over the range of surrounding forest cover and potential in-lake biodegradation, respectively. As anthropogenic debris continues to pollute the environment, our data will help contextualise future work, and our models can inform control and remediation efforts.
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Microplastics in 132 Iowa lakes and variability in relation to abiotic, biotic, and anthropogenic factors
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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.
Variability of microplastic loading and retention in four inland lakes in Minnesota, USA
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Researchers measured microplastic levels in four small lakes in Minnesota and found that watershed size and urban development were the biggest factors driving contamination. Surface water concentrations varied widely, and sediment levels did not directly correlate with what was found in the water above. The study highlights how local land use patterns influence where microplastics end up in freshwater ecosystems.
Anthropogenic interventions amplify microplastics accumulation: a comparative analysis of artificial vs. natural lakes as emerging sinks
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Researchers compared microplastic concentrations across artificial lakes in high-activity urban zones and a natural arboretum lake, finding that anthropogenic zones accumulated 0.82–5.29 times more microplastics with marked seasonal fluctuations, demonstrating that artificial lacustrine systems function as distinct microplastic sinks that require targeted management strategies.
The contamination of inland waters by microplastic fibres under different anthropogenic pressure: Preliminary study in Central Europe (Poland)
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This Polish study measured microfiber contamination in a river and three lakes across central and northeastern Poland, finding significantly higher fiber counts in the river flowing through large cities than in lakes within a protected landscape park. Urban rivers carry substantially higher microplastic fiber loads than relatively undisturbed freshwater bodies, confirming that human activity drives contamination levels.
Microplastic pollution differences in freshwater river according to stream order: Insights from spatial distribution, annual load, and ecological assessment
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Researchers compared microplastic pollution levels in a freshwater river across different land-use zones, finding higher concentrations near urban and agricultural areas than in forested regions. Fiber-type microplastics were predominant across all sampling locations.
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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.