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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Distribution, Sources, and Heavy Metal Interactions of Microplastics in Groundwater and Sediment of Semi‐Arid Regions of Northwest 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.
Co-occurrence of microplastics and heavy metals in a freshwater lake system in Indian Himalaya: Distribution and influencing factors
Researchers found widespread microplastic contamination in both the water and sediments of Manasbal Lake in the Indian Himalayas, with concentrations up to 4,020 particles per kilogram of sediment. Domestic sewage was identified as the primary source, and the microplastics were found alongside elevated levels of heavy metals like lead. This co-contamination is concerning because microplastics can absorb and transport heavy metals, potentially increasing toxic exposure for communities that depend on the lake.
Distribution characteristics of microplastics and potentially toxic elements as co-contaminants in groundwater in mid-Brahmaputra Valley, northeastern India
Researchers found microplastics and toxic heavy metals contaminating groundwater in the Brahmaputra Valley of northeastern India, with polypropylene being the most common plastic type detected. The microplastics appeared to absorb heavy metals onto their surfaces, creating a combined pollution threat, and cancer risk assessments showed that about a third of samples posed potential health risks to children. This study demonstrates that even underground water sources used for drinking are not safe from microplastic contamination.
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.
Microplastics in groundwater of two rural communities in Mexico
Researchers detected microplastics in drinking water from ten rural wells in two Mexican communities, finding diverse polymer types and morphologies at concentrations that suggest widespread groundwater MP contamination even in areas distant from major urban pollution 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.
Quantifying Microplastics Abundance and Their Implications as Vectors for Heavy Metal Adsorption in Freshwater Aquatic System of Kashmir Himalaya
Researchers measured microplastic abundance in both water and sediment of Manasbal Lake in the Kashmir Himalaya and examined how the particles interact with heavy metals. Microplastics were found throughout the lake and showed capacity to adsorb heavy metals, raising dual concerns about plastic particles and metal contamination in a sensitive Himalayan freshwater system.
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.
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.
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.
Influence of microplastics on nutrients and metal concentrations in river sediments
Researchers investigated how microplastics influence nutrient and metal concentrations in river sediments, finding that microplastics alter the distribution of pollutants through their capacity to adsorb contaminants and support biofilm formation on their hydrophobic surfaces.
Assessing the impacts of land use and land cover on occurrence, spatial distribution of microplastics and heavy metals in an agricultural watershed, Tadepalligudem, Andhra Pradesh, India
Researchers mapped the occurrence and spatial distribution of microplastics and heavy metals in agricultural runoff from a watershed in Andhra Pradesh, India. They found an average of 41.7 microplastic items per liter, dominated by polypropylene and polyethylene fibers, with heavy metal concentrations of cadmium, arsenic, chromium, and lead posing varying levels of health risk. The study highlights that land use patterns significantly influence both microplastic and heavy metal contamination in agricultural water systems.
Source-to-sink dynamics of microplastics and heavy metals along a land-use gradient in the tropical river system of India
Researchers tracked microplastics and heavy metals along a river system in southern India, finding widespread contamination in both water and sediment. Household waste was identified as a major source, with tiny plastic pellets and beads making up over 80% of the particles found. The study shows how urbanization and human activity drive microplastic pollution in freshwater systems that communities depend on for drinking and farming.
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.
Investigation of heavy metals adsorbed on microplastics in drinking water and water resources of Zabol
Researchers found microplastics in the drinking water supply of Zabol, Iran, with heavy metals like iron, arsenic, and cadmium stuck to their surfaces. Some of these metals exceeded World Health Organization safety limits, meaning the tiny plastic particles may be carrying harmful chemicals directly into the water people drink every day.
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.
Influence of soil characteristics and agricultural practices on microplastic concentrations in sandy soils and their association with heavy metal contamination
Researchers studied microplastic contamination in agricultural soils that use plastic mulch in arid regions and found significantly higher concentrations in mulched fields compared to control sites. They identified eight different polymer types and found that microplastic levels increased with the duration of mulching use, with heavy metals like iron and nickel accumulating on the plastic particles. The study highlights how agricultural plastic use contributes to long-term soil contamination and the potential for microplastics to serve as carriers of metal pollutants in farmland.
Baseline assessment of microplastic contamination in agricultural soils from the coastal stretches of Karnataka and Goa, Southwestern India
Researchers assessed microplastic contamination in paddy field soils across coastal regions of Karnataka and Goa in India, finding microplastics in every sample tested at all depths up to 30 cm. Fibers and polypropylene particles were the most common types, likely originating from agricultural plastic use and atmospheric deposition. The presence of toxic heavy metals on the microplastic surfaces raises additional concerns about contamination of rice crops grown in these soils.
Microplastics pollution in inland aquatic ecosystems of India with a global perspective on sources, composition, and spatial distribution
Researchers reviewed microplastic contamination in India's rivers, lakes, and wetlands, finding widespread pollution across water, sediment, and wildlife, with concentrations peaking during monsoon season due to runoff. The review highlights a critical gap: most studies don't account for how water flow and seasonal variation affect where microplastics go, making it hard to gauge the true health risk to people and ecosystems.
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.
Agronomic practices and road proximity drive plastic pollution in agricultural soils: Insights from Bihar, India on weathering, elemental association, and ecological risk
Researchers surveyed 22 agricultural sites in Bihar, India, measuring microplastic contamination in soil across different farming practices and road distances. Mulched fields near roads had the highest concentrations (up to 1,460 particles/kg), while PE and PP polymers dominated, and microplastics were found to adsorb multiple heavy metals including lead, arsenic, and cadmium.
Detection and characterization and risk of microplastic in groundwater in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia
Scientists found tiny plastic particles in all ten water wells tested in Saudi Arabia, with levels ranging from 5 to 16 particles per liter of groundwater. These microplastics had rough, porous surfaces that can trap other harmful chemicals, potentially making them more dangerous when people drink the contaminated water. This study is concerning because many people in dry regions like Saudi Arabia rely on groundwater as their main source of drinking water.
Abundance, Distribution, and Characterization of Microplastics on Two Recreational Beaches in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
Researchers surveyed two popular beaches in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, and found alarmingly high levels of microplastics in the sediment — up to 857 particles per kilogram — with polypropylene and polyethylene being the dominant types and metals including arsenic and chromium detected within the plastic particles. This is significant for public health because beachgoers have direct skin contact with and may incidentally ingest sediment, and the co-occurrence of heavy metals on microplastics compounds the risk.
First insight into microplastic groundwater pollution in Latin America: the case of a coastal aquifer in Northwest Mexico
Researchers conducted the first investigation of microplastic pollution in groundwater in Latin America, analyzing six capped boreholes in a coastal aquifer in northwest Mexico for microplastic abundance, concentration, and characteristics. The study detected microplastics in groundwater samples, establishing baseline contamination data for this understudied environmental compartment and raising concerns about drinking water quality in the region.