We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Microplastics in the surface water of Wuliangsuhai Lake, northern China
AI summary Read the abstract
Microplastics were detected in Wuliangsuhai Lake in Inner Mongolia, one of China's largest lakes, at concentrations of 3 to 11 particles per liter, with fibers most abundant and small particles under 2 mm making up 98% of the total. Agricultural wastewater, domestic sewage, and fishery discharges were identified as the main sources of contamination.
As a new type of pollutant, microplastics have attracted increased attention because of their widespread and persistent existence in the water environment. In this study, we investigated one of the eight largest lakes in China-Wuliangsuhai Lake in Inner Mongolia. The microplastic concentration in Wuliangsuhai Lake ranges from 3.12 to 11.25 n/L. The different functional areas in Wuliangsuhai can be divided into four categories, namely effluent, fishing, intake and wetland areas. The highest microplastic concentration occurs in the intake area. The collected microplastics are divided into four types, i.e., fibers, pellets, fragments and films, of which fibers are the most abundant. Among the four functional areas of Wuliangsuhai Lake, the highest fiber concentration is observed in the fishing area. The microplastics in Wuliangsuhai Lake are mainly small size, and the microplastics smaller than 2 mm account for 98.2% of the total microplastics, while the microplastic size in the intake area is relatively large. Polystyrene and polyethylene are the main polymer types. Agricultural wastewater, domestic sewage and fishery discharge have the greatest impact on the microplastic distribution. This study reveals that the inland lakes in northern China are polluted by microplastics, which may cause potential harm to the surrounding environment.
More Papers Like This
Abundance and distribution of microplastics in water and sediment of Baiyangdian Lake, Northern China
AI summary Read the abstract
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.
Effects of lakeshore landcover types and environmental factors on microplastic distribution in lakes on the Inner Mongolia Plateau, China
AI summary Read the abstract
This study measured microplastic contamination in lakes across the Inner Mongolia Plateau and found levels ranging from 0.5 to 12.6 particles per liter in water, with polypropylene being the most common type. Lakes near farmland and human activity had the highest contamination, showing that agriculture and tourism are major sources of microplastic pollution. The findings are relevant because these lakes serve as water sources for surrounding communities.
Distribution and sedimentation of microplastics in Taihu Lake
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers surveyed microplastic abundance in water, sediment, and inflowing rivers of Taihu Lake, China's third-largest freshwater lake, finding widespread contamination with fibers as the dominant type and higher concentrations near urban and agricultural shorelines.
Microplastics in Sediment and Surface Water of West Dongting Lake and South Dongting Lake: Abundance, Source and Composition
AI summary Read the abstract
Microplastics were found in both surface water and sediments of West Dongting Lake and South Dongting Lake in China, with fibers and fragments as the dominant types and concentrations influenced by proximity to urban and agricultural land use. The study provides the first data on microplastic contamination in China's second-largest freshwater lake system.
Microplastics in surface waters of Dongting Lake and Hong Lake, China
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers sampled surface waters of Dongting Lake and Hong Lake in China and found microplastic contamination at both sites, with fibers as the dominant type and concentrations reflecting nearby human population density and land use.
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.