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Plastic Pollution of the Coastal Surface Water in the Middle and Southern Baikal
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For the first time, researchers measured plastic particle concentrations in the surface water of Lake Baikal, the world's deepest freshwater lake, finding up to 75,000 particles per square kilometer in the most populated tourist zones. The discovery of microplastics in one of the world's most pristine and biodiverse lakes highlights the global reach of plastic pollution.
For the first time, the concentration of plastic particles in surface water of Lake Baikal was evaluated. The concentrations of plastic particles were evaluated in trawl samples taken in the coastal zone of the most densely populated southeastern coast and in the Maloe More―one of the most popular tourist zones in Baikal. Converted to water surface area, the concentration of plastic particles varied from 19 000 to 75 000 per 1 km2, at an average of 42 000 particles per 1 km2, suggesting a high level of plastic pollution. By their chemistry, the particles were classified as polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene. The microplastic found in the study is assumed to be the product of decay of various domestic packing materials.
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Researchers surveyed Baiyangdian Lake in northern China and found microplastics at concentrations of 1,000 to 20,000 particles per liter across water depths and sediments. Fibers were the dominant type, highlighting widespread contamination in a major freshwater lake system.
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Researchers analyzed gastrointestinal contents of fish species from Lake Baikal for microplastic particles, finding plastics in a proportion of sampled fish across multiple species. Fibres dominated the ingested particle types, and microplastic occurrence correlated with proximity to tourist and recreational areas along the lakeshore, linking human activity to plastic ingestion in this globally important freshwater system.
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.