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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Distribution characteristics of microplastics and potentially toxic elements as co-contaminants in groundwater in mid-Brahmaputra Valley, northeastern India
ClearHazardous microplastic characteristics and its role as a vector of heavy metal in groundwater and surface water of coastal south India
Researchers conducted the first baseline study of microplastics in groundwater and surface water along coastal south India and tested how different plastic polymers absorb heavy metals. They found microplastics at concentrations up to 19.9 particles per liter, with polypropylene showing the highest capacity to adsorb toxic metals like cadmium and manganese. The findings suggest microplastics may act as significant carriers of heavy metals through water systems, raising concerns about contamination of drinking water sources.
Contamination, morphological and chemical characterization, and hazard risk analyses of microplastics in drinking water sourced from groundwater in a developing nation
Researchers analyzed groundwater from six coastal districts in a developing nation and found widespread microplastic contamination, with fibers and fragments of polyethylene and polypropylene being the most common types. Since groundwater is the primary drinking water source in many developing countries, this contamination represents a direct pathway for microplastic ingestion by millions of people.
Distribution, Sources, and Heavy Metal Interactions of Microplastics in Groundwater and Sediment of Semi‐Arid Regions of Northwest India
Researchers found microplastics at every sampling location in groundwater and sediment in a semi-arid region of northwest India, with concentrations reaching up to 122 particles per liter in well water. The groundwater also contained dangerously high levels of arsenic and manganese, and while a direct link between microplastics and heavy metals was not confirmed in water samples, electron microscopy showed heavy metal particles attached to microplastic surfaces in sediment.
Spatial distribution of microplastic concentration around landfill sites and its potential risk on groundwater
Researchers found microplastic contamination in groundwater near two municipal waste dump sites in South India, with levels ranging from 2 to 80 particles per liter. Nylon was the most common type found, making up 70% of particles, and the contamination was traced back to degrading buried plastic waste. This is concerning because many communities rely on groundwater for drinking, and these findings show landfills can be a direct source of microplastics in drinking water.
Microplastics contamination in groundwater of a drinking-water source area, northern China
Researchers investigated microplastic contamination in shallow groundwater from a major drinking-water source area in northern China. The study found microplastics present in groundwater samples, with their abundance, morphology, and chemical composition varying across the study area and correlating with nearby human activities.
Microplastic Contamination in Groundwater Aquifers along the Ganga River Basin: A Comprehensive study from Devprayag to Gangasagar, India
Researchers investigated microplastic contamination in groundwater aquifers along the Ganga River basin from Devprayag to Gangasagar, India, detecting microplastics at all sampling sites and linking contamination levels to population density and river proximity.
Fate and Transport of Microplastics from Water Sources
Researchers analysed microplastics in surface water, groundwater, and bottled drinking water near Chennai, India, detecting 66 particles of fibrous and fragmented shapes across all sample types. SEM-EDX analysis confirmed the presence of heavy metals including chromium, titanium, and barium adhered to microplastic surfaces, while FTIR identified polyethylene terephthalate and polyamide as the dominant polymer types.
Distribution and transport of microplastics in groundwater (Shiraz aquifer, southwest Iran)
Researchers investigated microplastic contamination in groundwater from an alluvial aquifer in a semi-arid region of Iran. They identified microplastics in all sampled wells, with fibers and fragments being the most common shapes and polyethylene the dominant polymer type. The study demonstrates that groundwater, an important source of drinking water, is not immune to microplastic contamination and calls for more research on transport mechanisms in subsurface environments.
Investigation of microplastic pollution index in the urban surface water: A case study in west Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh, India
Researchers found microplastics in surface water and water treatment plants in the West Godavari region of India, with common types including polypropylene and PVC. Risk assessments showed that the type of plastic polymer poses a greater health risk than the amount of microplastics present. The study estimated daily, annual, and lifetime intake levels for people using these water sources.
Microplastics and heavy metal contamination along a land-use gradient in a Himalayan foothill river: Prevalence and controlling factors
Researchers mapped microplastic and heavy metal contamination in a river flowing through India's Himalayan foothills, finding plastic particles at every sampling site. Concentrations were highest near industrial areas and human settlements, with polyethylene and polystyrene being the most common plastic types. The study shows how human activity drives plastic pollution even in relatively remote freshwater environments.
Global distribution, drivers, and potential hazards of microplastics in groundwater: A review
This review maps the global distribution of microplastics in groundwater and finds that contamination is widespread, with fiber-shaped particles and polyethylene being the most common types detected. The study highlights that climate change and local geology play underappreciated roles in how microplastics move through soil into groundwater, which is a drinking water source for billions of people worldwide.
Microplastic contamination in urban groundwater: Risk assessment, citizen perception and policy imperatives – a case study of Kozhikode City, Kerala State, India
Researchers examined microplastic contamination in 120 open wells used for drinking water in an Indian city and found particles present in over 73% of samples. Polypropylene was the most common polymer detected, and concentrations varied widely across the city. The study also surveyed citizen awareness and found that most residents were unaware of microplastic contamination in their water supply, pointing to the need for public education and policy action.
Exploring the abundance of microplastics in Indian landfill leachate: An analytical study
Researchers analyzed microplastics in leachate from two major landfills in India and found concentrations of 1,473 to 2,067 particles per liter, with most particles smaller than 100 micrometers. Polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, cellulose acetate, and PVC were the most common plastic types identified. Since landfill leachate can seep into groundwater and nearby water bodies, these findings raise concerns about microplastic contamination of drinking water sources near dump sites.
Groundwater quality and associated health risks in the Eastern Region of Ghana
Researchers assessed groundwater quality across 136 boreholes in eastern Ghana and found that about 32% had poor to unsafe water quality, with contamination from iron, manganese, fluoride, and nitrates. While not focused on microplastics specifically, the study reveals that groundwater relied on by millions of people in developing regions faces multiple contamination threats. These findings connect to microplastics research because plastic particles in soil can also leach into groundwater supplies.
Microplastic pollution in terrestrial environment: Identification, characterization, and risk assessment in Indore, Central India
Researchers measured microplastic contamination in soil from agricultural and recreational areas in Indore, India. Recreational sites had about six times more microplastic particles than farmland, with most particles made of common plastics like PET and polypropylene. While the ecological risk was rated low for now, the long-term buildup of these particles in soil could eventually pose threats to crops and the food chain.
Microplastic and POP contamination in rural waste-dumping sites, India
Researchers collected soil and water samples from unregulated waste-dumping sites in rural Tamil Nadu, India, finding microplastics in all samples, with polypropylene and polyethylene as the dominant polymers, raising concerns about contamination of drinking water and agricultural land.
Microplastic diversity, risks and soil impacts: A multi-metric assessment across land-use systems
Researchers surveyed microplastic abundance, polymer diversity, and ecological risk across seven land-use types in India's Brahmaputra Valley, finding that built-up areas had the highest particle counts while forest soils paradoxically showed the greatest polymer hazard scores due to high-risk polymers, and that land-use type shapes both the quantity and composition of soil microplastic contamination.
Human health risk perspective study on characterization, quantification and spatial distribution of microplastics in surface water, groundwater and coastal sediments of thickly populated Chennai coast of South India
Researchers characterized microplastics in surface water, groundwater, and coastal sediments along Chennai's densely populated coast in South India, finding widespread contamination with fibers as the dominant shape and identifying urban proximity as a key factor in microplastic abundance.
Quantification, characterization and risk assessment of microplastics from five major estuaries along the northern Bay of Bengal coast
Researchers measured microplastic pollution in five major estuaries along the Bay of Bengal coast in Bangladesh and found contamination at every site, with polyethylene being the most common plastic type. The rivers were classified at the most severe hazard level for microplastic contamination based on the types of polymers found. Since these estuaries supply water and fish to millions of people, the contamination raises concerns about human exposure through drinking water and seafood.
Ecological footprint of microplastics in coastal and estuarine environments of India: Sediment-water interface analysis
This study mapped microplastic pollution across 16 coastal and estuarine sites along India's coastline, finding contamination everywhere with concentrations varying based on local human activities like port operations, tourism, and fishing. The microplastics were mostly small fibers and fragments under 500 micrometers, and certain plastic types were especially good at absorbing heavy metals. This means microplastics in coastal waters serve as carriers that can transport toxic metals into the seafood chain and ultimately into human diets.
Microplastic pollution and polymer-specific hazards in different water sources of Thimphu, Bhutan
This study provides the first systematic assessment of microplastic contamination across diverse water sources in Thimphu, Bhutan, including streams, rivers, groundwater, tap water, and bottled water. Researchers found that while microplastic concentrations were moderate overall, every water source was classified as high hazard due to the prevalence of toxic polymers like PVC and styrene-butadiene rubber, and that treated water still contained measurable microplastic levels.
Microplastics Pollution in the Groundwater of Three Land Use Types, Southeastern Hungary
Researchers investigated microplastic pollution in groundwater across three land use types in southeastern Hungary, providing data on the rate and distribution of microplastic contamination in a freshwater resource that has received far less study than surface water bodies.
Spatiotemporal distribution and ecological hazards of microplastic pollution in soil water resources around a wastewater treatment plant and municipal solid waste site
Researchers mapped the spatial and seasonal distribution of microplastics in soil, water, and sediment near a wastewater treatment plant and municipal landfill in northern India. They found elevated microplastic concentrations in leachate and areas immediately surrounding both facilities, with seasonal variations in contamination levels. The study highlights that both wastewater treatment plants and solid waste sites serve as significant local sources of microplastic pollution to surrounding environments.
Understanding Microplastic Pollution in Groundwater: Pathways, Health Implications and Solutions
This review examines how microplastics infiltrate groundwater systems through pathways including landfills, agricultural runoff, water treatment facilities, and aging plastic pipes. Researchers found that once in groundwater, microplastics can persist for long periods and degrade water quality while interacting with other subsurface contaminants. The study highlights that groundwater microplastic contamination is an underappreciated threat to one of humanity's most important freshwater sources.