We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Microplastic abundance, distribution and composition in water, sediments, and wild fish from Poyang Lake, China
AI summary Read the abstract
Microplastics were measured in surface water, sediments, and fish (crucian carp) across Poyang Lake, China's largest freshwater lake, finding 5–34 items/L in water, 54–506 items/kg in sediments, and 0–18 items per fish, with heterogeneous spatial distribution related to anthropogenic and topographic factors. The study provides comprehensive multi-compartment baseline data on microplastic contamination in a major Chinese freshwater ecosystem.
Microplastic pollution in global aquatic environments has aroused increasing concern in recent years. In this study, the occurrence of microplastics in multiple environmental compartments was investigated in Poyang Lake, the largest freshwater lake of China. The abundance of microplastics was respectively 5-34 items/L for surface waters, 54-506 items/kg for sediments, and 0-18 items per individual for wild crucians (Carassius auratus). The distribution of microplastics in Poyang Lake varied heterogeneously in space, with the highest abundance being observed in the middle region of the lake for surface waters and in the northern region for sediments. Anthropogenic and topographic factors were speculated to be the major factors affecting the abundance and distribution of microplastics. The majority of the detected microplastics were found with a size of < 0.5 mm, with fibrous and coloured being the predominant characteristics. Polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) were the major polymer types of the selected plastic particles, indicating that domestic sewage and fishing activities might be the main sources of microplastics in the lake. No significant correlation was observed between microplastic abundance in surface water and sediment samples. Our results demonstrated the wide occurrence of microplastics in water, sediment and biota of the Poyang Lake, which may assist in extending our knowledge regarding microplastics pollution in inland freshwater systems.
More Papers Like This
Distribution and characteristics of microplastics in the sediments of Poyang Lake, China
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found microplastic contamination in sediments across Poyang Lake, China, with abundances ranging from 11 to 3,153 items per kilogram dry weight, and identified significant spatial variability linked to human activity and hydrological conditions.
[Spatiotemporal distribution and multi-source characteristics of microplastics in the soil and water environment of Poyang Lake Wetland, China].
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated spatiotemporal patterns of microplastic contamination in surface water and sediments across Poyang Lake Wetland, China's largest freshwater lake, during both wet and dry seasons. Microplastic abundance in water ranged from 32 to 296 particles per liter and from 460 to 1,369 particles per kilogram in sediment, with levels higher than many comparable freshwater wetlands globally. Beads, fragments, films, and fibers were the dominant forms, with temporal and spatial differences observed across the sampled rivers and confluence zones.
Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in China’s largest freshwater lake system
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found high levels of microplastics in both water and sediment across China's largest freshwater lake system, Poyang Lake, with concentrations up to 1,064 particles per cubic meter in water. The study reveals widespread contamination even in protected nature reserves, emphasizing the scale of the freshwater microplastics problem.
Bioaccumulation effects of microplastics and heavy metals pollutants in the dominant freshwater fish species in the Longkou entry of Raohe River, Lake Poyang Basin
AI summary Read the abstract
Eight freshwater fish species from a Chinese lake all contained microplastics in their digestive tracts and gills, along with elevated heavy metals in their muscle tissue. The co-occurrence of microplastics and heavy metals in commonly consumed fish raises concerns about compounded food safety risks for people in this region.
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.
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.