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Hidden plastics of Lake Ontario, Canada and their potential preservation in the sediment record
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Researchers found plastic pellets in shoreline samples from Lake Ontario and showed that these particles are likely to be preserved in lake sediment, creating a potential geological record of plastic pollution. The study suggests that freshwater lake sediment cores could serve as archives for tracking the history of plastic contamination.
Microplastics are a source of environmental pollution resulting from degradation of plastic products and spillage of resin pellets. We report the amounts of microplastics from various sites of Lake Ontario and evaluate their potential for preservation in the sediment record. A total of 4635 pellets were sampled from the Humber Bay shoreline on three sampling dates. Pellet colours were similar to those from the Humber River bank, suggesting that the river is a pathway for plastics transport into Lake Ontario. Once in the lake, high density microplastics, including mineral-polyethylene and mineral-polypropylene mixtures, sink to the bottom. The minerals may be fillers that were combined with plastics during production, or may have adsorbed to the surfaces of the polymers in the water column or on the lake bottom. Based on sediment depths and accumulation rates, microplastics have accumulated in the offshore region for less than 38 years. Their burial increases the chance of microplastics preservation. Shoreline pellets may not be preserved because they are mingled with organic debris that is reworked during storm events.
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A temporal record of microplastic accumulation in sediment cores of the Great Lakes, North America, reflects macroeconomic and regional influences
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Researchers analyzed sediment cores from Lake Huron and Lake Ontario spanning several decades to track historical trends in microplastic accumulation in the Great Lakes. They found that microplastic levels increased steadily from the 1960s through the late 1980s, mirroring global plastic production rates, with subsequent fluctuations reflecting economic shifts and regional factors. The study demonstrates that lake sediment records can serve as proxies for tracking both global and local changes in plastic pollution over time.
Anthropogenic particles in natural sediment sinks: Microplastics accumulation in tributary, beach and lake bottom sediments of Lake Ontario, North America
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Researchers found microplastics in tributary, beach, and lake bottom sediments across Lake Ontario and the upper St. Lawrence River, with highest concentrations near urban and industrial areas—reaching up to 28,000 particles per kilogram of sediment near Toronto. The study establishes baseline contamination levels for this major North American freshwater system and warns of risks to bottom-dwelling organisms.
Sources and sinks of microplastics in Canadian Lake Ontario nearshore, tributary and beach sediments
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Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination in Lake Ontario sediments from nearshore areas, tributaries, and beaches to map pollution patterns. They found the highest concentrations near urban and industrial zones, particularly in Toronto Harbour, where levels exceeded 500 particles per kilogram of sediment. The study identifies wastewater outflows and urban runoff as key sources of microplastic pollution in the Great Lakes region.
Tracking the microplastic accumulation from past to present in the freshwater ecosystems: A case study in Susurluk Basin, Turkey
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Researchers tracked the historical accumulation of microplastics in freshwater lake sediment cores, finding a steady increase in particle deposition corresponding to rising plastic production since the mid-20th century and demonstrating that sediment archives can reconstruct the timeline of freshwater microplastic pollution.
The history of microplastics occurrence in the sediments affected by treated effluents
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Historical records of microplastic contamination were reconstructed from dated sediment layers collected near the wastewater treatment plant effluent outflow point into Lake Saimaa, Finland. Microplastic concentrations in the sediment layers increased over time, mirroring the historical growth of plastic production and use. The study demonstrates that lake sediment cores can serve as archives for tracking the history of microplastic pollution and its connection to changes in wastewater management.
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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.