Small-sized microplastics drive structural shifts in aquatic communities: Evidence from the Wei River Basin

Influence of microplastic on the aquatic ecosystem

Microplastics in Aquatic Environment

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Researchers summarized how microplastics enter aquatic ecosystems from everyday plastics, industrial processes, and wastewater treatment plants, and reviewed evidence of the resulting harms to aquatic organisms and the broader food web.

Occurrence and Distribution Characteristics of Microplastics in Surface Water of China: a Review

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Researchers synthesized the literature on microplastic occurrence and distribution in Chinese surface waters, finding mean river concentrations ranging from 0.57 to 930 particles per liter, with fibers and sub-millimeter particles predominating and polypropylene and polyethylene as the most common polymers. As Chinese cities increasingly rely on surface water as drinking water sources, the high and variable microplastic loads documented across river and lake systems represent a direct human exposure pathway demanding stronger pollution monitoring and control.

Occurrence, Distribution, and Removal of Microplastics from Aquatic Ecosystems

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Researchers investigated the occurrence, distribution, and removal strategies for microplastics in aquatic ecosystems, reviewing how their pervasive presence and resistance to conventional treatment create persistent risks for both environmental and human health.

Microplastics in Aquatic Systems: Sources, Accumulation, Environmental Impact and Mitigation Strategies

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This review synthesizes how microplastics enter aquatic ecosystems, where they accumulate, and what harm they cause to wildlife and water quality — while also evaluating mitigation strategies, highlighting that both primary sources like microbeads and secondary sources like degrading plastic waste need to be addressed.