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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Microplastics in 132 Iowa lakes and variability in relation to abiotic, biotic, and anthropogenic factors
ClearMonitoring of microplastic concentrations in 132 Iowa lakes in relation to abiotic, biotic, and anthropogenic factors
Researchers surveyed microplastic concentrations in 132 lakes across Iowa, examining how biological, physical, and human factors influence plastic levels. Lakes near populated areas and with greater human activity showed higher microplastic concentrations, demonstrating that freshwater lakes are broadly contaminated by plastic pollution.
Global microplastic contamination in freshwater lakes: Spatial patterns, environmental drivers, and methodological challenges
This review systematically analyzed 84 studies covering more than 300 lakes worldwide to assess global microplastic contamination in freshwater lake systems. Surface water MP concentrations ranged from below 0.001 to over 200 MP/L, with fibers and fragments dominating, polyethylene and polypropylene most common, and highest levels found in shallow, lowland, and eutrophic systems near urbanized shorelines.
Variability of microplastic loading and retention in four inland lakes in Minnesota, USA
Researchers measured microplastic levels in four small lakes in Minnesota and found that watershed size and urban development were the biggest factors driving contamination. Surface water concentrations varied widely, and sediment levels did not directly correlate with what was found in the water above. The study highlights how local land use patterns influence where microplastics end up in freshwater ecosystems.
A comparative review of microplastics in lake systems from different countries and regions
Researchers reviewed microplastic contamination data from lake systems across multiple countries, finding that abundance, size, and polymer type varied widely by region and identifying land use, population density, and hydrological connectivity as key drivers of lake microplastic levels.
Microplastic contamination in Indian rural and urban lacustrine ecosystems
Researchers surveyed 39 rural and urban lakes across Tamil Nadu, India, for microplastic contamination and found particles present in water and sediment samples from every lake studied. Urban lakes had significantly higher microplastic concentrations than rural ones, with fibers being the most common particle shape across all sites. The study provides one of the most comprehensive assessments of freshwater microplastic pollution in India, revealing that even relatively remote lakes are not free from contamination.
Microplastics and anthropogenic fibre concentrations in lakes reflect surrounding land use
A survey of lakes across multiple land-use types found that microplastic and anthropogenic fiber concentrations reflected the intensity of surrounding human activity, with urban and agricultural catchments accumulating more particles than forested ones, and long water retention times allowing particles to concentrate over time.
Widespread microplastic pollution in Indiana, USA, rivers
Researchers surveyed nine Indiana river watersheds and found microplastics in every single one, regardless of whether the surrounding land was urban, agricultural, or forested. Plastic fibers dominated across all sites, suggesting they arrive mainly via atmospheric deposition rather than runoff, which means even remote waterways are exposed. The findings indicate that rivers have a distinct microplastic profile compared to large lakes, and that flowing water ecosystems are pervasively contaminated throughout the midwestern United States.
Microplastics in lakes: Distribution patterns and influencing factors
This review analyzed 84 studies across 64 lakes worldwide to understand where microplastics tend to concentrate in freshwater systems. Microplastic levels were highest near areas of heavy human activity and water inflows, and concentrations in lake sediments have been increasing over time, which matters because lakes are important sources of drinking water.
Global patterns of lake microplastic pollution: Insights from regional human development levels
A meta-analysis of 351 lakes across 43 countries found microplastic concentrations ranging from 0.09 to 130,000 items/m3 in surface water, with fibers as the dominant shape and polyethylene, polypropylene, and PET as the most common polymers. Countries with lower human development indices actually showed higher contamination levels, suggesting that waste management capacity is a key driver of lake microplastic pollution.
Microplastic Pollution in Surface Waters and Sediments of Urban Lake
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.
Lake sediments as microplastic sink: The case of three lakes from Northern and Central Poland
Researchers measured microplastic concentrations in bottom sediments from three lakes in northern and central Poland with low surrounding human activity, finding between 4 and 21 microplastic particles per kilogram of wet sediment. These values were low compared to lakes in urbanized areas, suggesting anthropogenic pressure significantly drives sediment microplastic accumulation.
Microplastic contamination in Lake Winnipeg, Canada
Researchers investigated microplastic contamination in Lake Winnipeg, Canada, finding widespread pollution across the lake with fibers as the dominant particle type, reflecting inputs from the surrounding watershed and atmospheric deposition.
Effects of lakeshore landcover types and environmental factors on microplastic distribution in lakes on the Inner Mongolia Plateau, China
This study measured microplastic contamination in lakes across the Inner Mongolia Plateau and found levels ranging from 0.5 to 12.6 particles per liter in water, with polypropylene being the most common type. Lakes near farmland and human activity had the highest contamination, showing that agriculture and tourism are major sources of microplastic pollution. The findings are relevant because these lakes serve as water sources for surrounding communities.
Plastic pollution in freshwater ecosystems: macro-, meso-, and microplastic debris in a floodplain lake
Researchers surveyed macro-, meso-, and microplastic debris in a South American floodplain lake and found an average of 704 microplastic particles per square meter in sediments, with plastic contamination comparable to marine beaches — demonstrating that freshwater lakes can be major plastic pollution reservoirs.
A Multicompartment Assessment of Microplastic Contamination in Semi-remote Boreal Lakes
Researchers assessed microplastic contamination across multiple compartments of semi-remote boreal lakes in northwestern Ontario, Canada. The study found that microplastics were present even in these relatively isolated oligotrophic lakes, with fibers being the dominant particle type, suggesting atmospheric deposition and limited local sources as likely pathways.
Plastic debris in lakes and reservoirs
Researchers conducted the first standardized cross-national survey of plastic debris in 38 lakes and reservoirs, finding plastic in every water body sampled and showing that densely populated urban lakes and large reservoirs with long water-retention times accumulate plastic at concentrations rivaling the most polluted ocean garbage patches.
Research status and prospects of microplastic pollution in lakes
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 pollution in sediments of tropical shallow lakes
Researchers found microplastics in all sediment samples from 48 tropical shallow lakes across a climatic gradient, with fibres dominating over fragments and polyester being the most common polymer, indicating widespread plastic contamination even in inland freshwater ecosystems.
Plastics in Paradise: Quantifying Microplastics in Lake Champlain Beaches
Researchers quantified and characterized microplastics on Lake Champlain beaches, finding contamination at all sampled sites with fragments and fibers as the dominant particle types. The study documents that even inland freshwater shorelines accumulate significant microplastic loads over time.
Microplastic pollution in the surface waters of the Laurentian Great Lakes
Researchers documented microplastic pollution across the surface waters of the Laurentian Great Lakes, finding contamination in all lakes sampled — particularly Lake Erie — with fibers as the dominant particle type, highlighting plastic pollution in a critical freshwater system.
[Characterization of Microplastic Pollution of Sediments from Urban Lakes].
Sediments from urban lakes in Maanshan City, China contained microplastics in both spring and summer, with fragments and fibers as the most common types. Local industrial and domestic activities were identified as the likely sources, adding to evidence of widespread microplastic contamination in freshwater sediments.
Review of microplastics in lakes: sources, distribution characteristics, and environmental effects
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.
Microplastic pollution of worldwide lakes
This review compiles research on microplastic pollution across 98 lakes worldwide, finding contamination in every lake studied. Lakes act as temporary or long-term accumulators of microplastics because water can remain in them for extended periods, and they receive plastic waste from surrounding areas. The review highlights that freshwater microplastic contamination deserves as much attention as ocean pollution, especially since many communities depend on lakes for drinking water and food.
Global occurrence characteristics, drivers, and environmental risk assessment of microplastics in lakes: A meta-analysis
This meta-analysis of 42 studies found significant heterogeneity in microplastic pollution levels across global lakes, driven by geographical location and sampling methods. Small microplastics (under 1 mm) were disproportionately concentrated in sediment compared to water, and while most lakes showed low overall environmental risk, pollution levels in lake sediments were generally higher than in surrounding water.