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Microplastic pollution in lakes: Sources, impact, and solutions
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This review comprehensively covers the sources, pathways, ecological impacts, and remediation strategies for microplastic pollution in freshwater lakes, highlighting how particles from urban runoff, wastewater, and atmospheric deposition accumulate in lake ecosystems and transfer into food webs.
Microplastic pollution has become a critical environmental concern in freshwater ecosystems, especially lakes. These particles, less than 5 mm in size, originate from various sources including urban runoff, wastewater, atmospheric deposition, recreational use, and the degradation of larger plastic debris. Once in lakes, microplastics can be ingested by aquatic organisms, leading to physical and toxicological impacts, bioaccumulation, and potential transfer to humans through drinking water and seafood. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the sources and pathways of microplastic contamination in lakes, their environmental and ecological impacts, and potential mitigation strategies. Proposed solutions include source control, stormwater and wastewater management, advanced purification technologies, regulatory action, and public engagement. A multifaceted, collaborative approach is essential to prevent and remediate microplastic pollution in freshwater environments.
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Research status and prospects of microplastic pollution in lakes
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This review systematically covers microplastic pollution research in lakes, including sampling and identification methods, distribution patterns, ecological effects, and knowledge gaps, identifying lakes as important but understudied sinks for microplastic contamination.
Microplastic sources and distribution dynamics across contrasting anthropogenic settings: implications for lake management
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Microplastic particles have emerged as a pervasive pollutant in lake ecosystems, with sources and distribution patterns varying significantly across different anthropogenic settings, affecting ecological processes and human health. Understanding how land use and human activity influence microplastic loading and spatial distribution in lakes is essential for developing targeted management strategies.
Microplastics Pollution in Surface Waters and Sediments of Urban Lakes
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This book chapter reviews microplastic pollution in surface waters and sediments of urban lakes, examining sources including stormwater runoff and atmospheric deposition, and discussing ecological effects on lake-dwelling organisms.
Microplastic Pollution in Surface Waters and Sediments of Urban Lake
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This book chapter reviews microplastic pollution in urban lake surface waters and sediments, describing sources, distribution patterns, and the ecological consequences of MP accumulation in these widely used but understudied freshwater habitats.
Review of microplastics in lakes: sources, distribution characteristics, and environmental effects
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This review analyzes microplastic pollution in lakes worldwide and finds that contamination levels are higher in shallower lakes near populated areas with more human activity. Microplastics accumulate heavily in lake sediments and can also be trapped in seasonal ice, only to be released during warming periods. Since many communities rely on lakes for drinking water and fishing, understanding how microplastics concentrate in these freshwater systems is critical for protecting public health.
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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.