We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Accumulation of floating microplastics behind the Three Gorges Dam
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers collected trawl samples from the Three Gorges Reservoir on the Yangtze River and found extraordinarily high microplastic concentrations — up to 13.6 billion particles per square kilometer — accumulating behind the dam. The dam appears to act as a massive trap for floating plastic, preventing downstream transport and concentrating pollution to extreme levels.
We investigated the occurrence and distribution of microplastics in surface water from the Three Gorges Reservoir. Nine samples were collected via trawl sampling with a 112 μmmesh net. The abundances of microplastics were from 3407.7 × 10(3) to 13,617.5 × 10(3) items per square kilometer in the main stream of the Yangtze River and from 192.5 × 10(3) to 11,889.7 × 10(3) items per square kilometer in the estuarine areas of four tributaries. The abundance of microplastics in the main stream of the Yangtze River generally increased as moving closer to the Three Gorges Dam. The microplastics are made exclusively of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polystyrene (PS). Together with microplastics, high abundance of coal/fly ash was also observed in the surface water samples. Comparing with previously reported data, microplastics in the TGR were approximately one to three orders of magnitudes greater, suggesting reservoirs as potential hot spot for microplastic pollution.
More Papers Like This
The Three Gorges Dam alters the spatial distribution and flux of microplastics in the Yangtze River
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers mapped how the Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River alters the distribution and flow of microplastic pollution. They found that the reservoir acts as a significant trap for microplastics, accumulating them in sediment and the fluctuation zone along its banks, while reducing the downstream flux. The study suggests that large dams fundamentally change how microplastic pollution moves through major river systems.
Substantial burial of terrestrial microplastics in the Three Gorges Reservoir, China
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found substantial burial of terrestrial microplastics in Three Gorges Reservoir sediments, suggesting that large hydropower dams act as significant traps that intercept microplastic transport from rivers to the ocean, with implications for the Yangtze River's plastic output.
Microplastics contamination in the surface water of the Yangtze River from upstream to estuary based on different sampling methods
AI summary Read the abstract
A survey of microplastic contamination along the Yangtze River from source to estuary found average abundances of up to 4.25 × 10^5 items/km by trawling and up to 3,089 items/m³ by filtration, with the Three Gorges Reservoir showing the highest concentrations due to a dam barrier effect.
The hydro-fluctuation belt of the Three Gorges Reservoir: Source or sink of microplastics in the water?
AI summary Read the abstract
The water-level fluctuation zone of the Three Gorges Reservoir in China was found to be both a source and sink for microplastics depending on season, with high concentrations of plastic particles in the sediment. This large reservoir acts as an accumulation point for microplastics from upstream rivers.
Microplastics in surface waters and sediments of the Three Gorges Reservoir, China
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers sampled surface waters and sediments of the Three Gorges Reservoir in China and found microplastic contamination throughout, with concentrations influenced by water flow dynamics and proximity to human settlements.
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.