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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Quantifying and Characterizing Microplastics in the Greater Philadelphia Region
ClearMicroplastic contamination in an urban area: a case study in Greater Paris
Researchers investigated microplastic contamination across Greater Paris, finding that urban areas generate and accumulate substantial microplastic pollution through multiple pathways including stormwater, atmospheric deposition, and river transport.
The urban microplastic footprint: investigating the distribution and transport
Researchers investigated the distribution and transport of microplastics within an urban environment, mapping the 'urban microplastic footprint' to understand how city infrastructure and land use patterns drive the spatial distribution and downstream export of plastic particles to receiving water bodies.
Microplastic Presence, Aging, and Potential Sources in Urban Runoff in a Large Piedmont Metropolitan Area: Polymer-Type-Specific Analysis
Scientists found over 20,000 tiny plastic particles in rainwater runoff from a large metropolitan area, with the plastics coming from both local sources like degraded items on the ground and particles falling from the atmosphere. These microplastics can end up in our water supply and food chain, potentially affecting human health. The study helps identify where these harmful plastic particles come from in big cities, which is important for finding ways to reduce our exposure to them.
Contributing to the assessment of the impact of urban activities on microplastic transport through air and runoff infiltration
Researchers investigated the contribution of urban activities to microplastic transport through both airborne pathways and stormwater runoff infiltration, quantifying plastic particle fluxes in an urban watershed. The study found that road surfaces, construction materials, and tire wear were significant urban sources, with rainfall events mobilizing microplastics into both air and subsurface water.
Identification and Characterization of Microplastics in Freshwater Systems: a Close Look at the Poquessing Creek- a Delaware River Tributary
Scientists sampled a Pennsylvania creek tributary to the Delaware River and found microplastics at all sampling locations, with fibers and fragments being the most common types. Urban freshwater systems routinely carry microplastics that can accumulate in drinking water sources downstream.
Quantitative Analysis of Urban Microplastic Dissemination and Accumulation in Marine Ecosystems: Pathways, Processes, and Impacts
Researchers used water and sediment sampling across urban, riverine, and marine environments to quantify microplastic pathways from cities into marine ecosystems, finding the highest concentrations in urban areas linked to industrial activity and poor waste management. Polyethylene, polypropylene, and PET were the most common polymer types, with seasonal peaks in concentration tracking periods of high rainfall and urban runoff.
Characterizing microplastics in urban runoff: A multi-land use assessment with a focus on 1–125 μm size particles
Researchers collected stormwater runoff from three different urban land use types and found microplastics present across all sites, with significant variation in polymer types depending on the area. By using multiple detection techniques, they were able to identify particles as small as 1 micrometer, revealing that the smallest size fractions dominated the total count. The study emphasizes that urban runoff is a major pathway for microplastic pollution reaching waterways.
Quantitative Analysis of Urban Microplastic Dissemination and Accumulation in Marine Ecosystems: Pathways, Processes, and Impacts
Researchers conducted quantitative water and sediment sampling across urban, riverine, and marine environments to trace microplastic transport pathways from cities into marine ecosystems. They found microplastics in all sampled environments — highest in urban areas — with polyethylene, polypropylene, and PET most prevalent, and documented ingestion evidence across marine species alongside seasonal concentration peaks correlated with rainfall-driven urban runoff.
The atmospheric microplastics deposition contributes to microplastic pollution in urban waters
Researchers investigated how atmospheric deposition contributes to microplastic pollution in urban waters. The study found that microplastic deposition fluxes were higher during wet weather than dry weather and showed moderate to strong correlations with atmospheric conditions, demonstrating that airborne microplastic fallout is a meaningful source of contamination in urban water environments.
Anthropogenic Litter in Urban Freshwater Ecosystems: Distribution and Microbial Interactions
Researchers quantified anthropogenic litter in urban rivers and streams and found that microplastics dominated by mass and particle count compared to macroplastic items. The study highlights urban freshwater systems as major conduits for plastic pollution moving toward marine environments and documents distinct microbial communities on plastic surfaces.
Microplastics in water: occurrence, detection, and impacts – a comprehensive review of multiple studies
This comprehensive review synthesized current knowledge on microplastic occurrence, detection methods, and impacts across marine, freshwater, and remote aquatic ecosystems. Researchers highlighted that microplastic concentrations are particularly high in urban rivers, transported through runoff, atmospheric deposition, and river input. The review identifies critical research gaps including the need for standardized detection methods and more studies on chronic human exposure through contaminated seafood and drinking water.
Microplastics in urban water systems, Tehran Metropolitan, Iran
Researchers investigated microplastic contamination across Tehran's urban water systems, including runoff, drinking water, groundwater, rivers, and wastewater effluent. They found microplastics present in all parts of the system, with residential and commercial runoff showing the highest concentrations. The study revealed that different land use types influenced the amount and characteristics of microplastic pollution, suggesting that urbanization patterns play a significant role in water contamination.
A preliminary comparison of microplastic type, size, and composition in atmospheric and foliage samples in an urban scenario
Researchers compared microplastic types, sizes, and polymer compositions in atmospheric dry and wet deposition samples from different settings. The study found that atmospheric deposition is a meaningful pathway for microplastic dispersal, with variation in particle characteristics across sites.
A preliminary comparison of microplastic type, size, and composition in atmospheric and foliage samples in an urban scenario
Researchers compared microplastic types, sizes, and polymer compositions in atmospheric dry and wet deposition at multiple sites, assessing contributions to ecosystem contamination. The results showed that atmospheric deposition is a significant pathway for microplastic redistribution, particularly to remote areas.
Microplastics in urban New Jersey freshwaters: distribution, chemical identification, and biological affects
Researchers characterized microplastics in the heavily urbanized Raritan and Passaic Rivers in New Jersey, identifying polymer types at 15 sites using pyrolysis-GC/MS and finding that associated organic compounds can transfer between plastic and water phases, with embryonic zebrafish exposed to identified polymers showing physiological effects.
Microplastic analysis in urban areas and their impact on quality of life
Researchers reviewed the growing threat of microplastic pollution to biodiversity and human health, focusing on freshwater systems as a key exposure pathway. The study emphasizes the need for standardized identification methods for microplastics in freshwater environments.
Distribution of microplastics in freshwater systems in an urbanized region: A case study in Flanders (Belgium)
Researchers mapped microplastic distribution across freshwater systems in Flanders, Belgium, finding widespread contamination with concentrations varying by land use and urbanization level, providing a regional-scale assessment needed for risk evaluation in densely populated areas.
Estimating microplastic flows across rural-urban gradients in a French catchment
Researchers estimated microplastic flows across rural-urban gradients in a French catchment, examining how land use and urbanization influence the transport and distribution of microplastic particles through the watershed system.
A Microplastic Pollution Hotspot: Elevated Levels in Sediments from the San Francisco Bay Area
Sediment samples from San Francisco Bay revealed elevated microplastic concentrations across sites, with polymer types and morphologies consistent with local urban runoff and atmospheric deposition sources.
A threat beneath the surface: Microplastic contamination in the groundwater of one of Europe's largest wetland complexes
Researchers confirmed microplastic contamination in groundwater samples from one of the world's most populous regions, documenting particle abundance, polymer types, and potential infiltration pathways from surface contamination through soil to subsurface aquifers.
Urban Microplastic Pollution Revealed by a Large-Scale Wetland Soil Survey
Researchers conducted a large-scale survey of wetland soils across an urban area and found an average of 379 microplastic particles per kilogram, with abundance closely linked to proximity to the city's economic center. Polypropylene was the most common polymer type, and fiber and fragment shapes dominated the samples. The study found that atmospheric particle pollution and heavy metal concentrations in soil were strongly correlated with microplastic levels, suggesting shared urban pollution sources.
Microplastic analysis in urban areas and their impact on quality of life
Researchers assessed microplastic contamination in urban water environments and evaluated its impact on community quality of life, arguing that a critical gap in standardized analytical methods is limiting progress in both research and environmental management of microplastic pollution.
Microplastic pollution in streams spanning an urbanisation gradient
Researchers sampled microplastics in small streams across an urbanization gradient and found contamination at all sites, with concentrations comparable to those in larger rivers and lakes. Fragments and small particles between 63 and 500 micrometers were the most common forms detected. Surprisingly, catchment-scale factors like population density and stormwater overflows did not predict microplastic levels well, suggesting that local-scale sources may be more important for pollution in small streams.
Abundance, Distribution and Drivers of Microplastic Contaminant in Urban River Environments
Researchers surveyed microplastic distribution in urban river environments and identified key drivers of accumulation hotspots, finding that land use, hydrology, and infrastructure factors concentrated microplastics at predictable locations that could inform targeted management interventions.