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20 resultsShowing papers similar to Potential risk of microplastics in plateau karst lakes: Insights from metagenomic analysis
ClearHeterogenization of microplastic communities in lakes of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau driven by tourism and transport activities
Researchers surveyed microplastic pollution in lakes across the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and found that tourism and transportation activities were the primary drivers of contamination differences between sites. Lakes near tourist attractions had significantly higher and more diverse microplastic communities than remote lakes. The study demonstrates that human activity is introducing heterogeneous microplastic pollution even into high-altitude plateau ecosystems.
Microplastics in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau lakes, China
Researchers surveyed microplastic pollution in lakes across two major Chinese plateaus and found contamination even in these remote, high-altitude environments. Lakes near more human activity (Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau) had significantly higher microplastic levels than the more remote Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, with sewage, agriculture, and fishing being the main sources. The study shows that microplastic pollution reaches even supposedly pristine environments, largely through human activity and atmospheric transport.
Microplastic contamination in lacustrine sediments in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau: Current status and transfer mechanisms
Researchers investigated microplastic contamination in lacustrine sediments across the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, finding abundances ranging from 17 to 2,644 items/kg dry weight and identifying atmospheric deposition and river transport as key transfer mechanisms to these remote high-altitude lakes.
New insights into the distribution, potential source and risk of microplastics in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau
Researchers surveyed microplastic pollution across the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, one of the world's most remote regions, and found contamination in water, sediment, and soil samples. Water samples had the highest concentrations, averaging over 7,000 particles per cubic meter. The presence of microplastics even in this isolated high-altitude environment shows how far plastic pollution has spread globally.
Alpine ponds as overlooked hotspots of microplastic hazards: Evidence from the Eastern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau
Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination in alpine ponds on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau across zones of varying human activity, finding ubiquitous microplastic pollution (up to 594 items/L in water) that directly correlated with anthropogenic pressure, identifying high-altitude ponds as overlooked microplastic hotspots.
First insights into plastic and microplastic occurrence in biotic and abiotic compartments, and snow from a high-mountain lake (Carnic Alps)
This study provided first data on plastic and microplastic occurrence in both biotic and abiotic samples from high-mountain lakes on the Tibetan Plateau, one of the most remote freshwater ecosystems on Earth. Plastics larger than 5 mm and microplastics were found in lake water and biota, demonstrating that even pristine high-altitude freshwater systems are not free from plastic contamination.
Microplastic assessment in remote and high mountain lakes of Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan
Researchers assessed microplastic contamination in eight remote, high-altitude lakes in the mountains of northern Pakistan, finding plastic particles in both water and sediment at all locations. Despite the lakes being far from major population centers, microplastics were present at measurable levels, likely transported by wind and water from lower elevations. The contamination of these pristine mountain lakes is concerning because they serve as water sources for local communities.
Distribution and potential sources of microplastics in sediments in remote lakes of Tibet, China
Researchers assessed microplastic contamination in sediments from 12 remote lakes on the Tibetan Plateau in China, an area with minimal human activity. Despite the isolation, they found between 17 and 2,644 microplastic particles per kilogram of dried sediment, levels considered high compared to some other freshwater systems. The findings suggest that long-range atmospheric transport and limited local sources like tourism contribute to microplastic pollution even in some of Earth's most remote environments.
Microplastic pollution of lakeshore sediments from remote lakes in Tibet plateau, China
Researchers sampled lakeshore sediments from remote lakes on the Tibetan Plateau, one of the least populated regions on Earth, and found microplastic contamination at every site. The most common plastics identified were polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, and polyethylene, likely transported by atmospheric processes from distant sources. The findings demonstrate that microplastic pollution has reached even the most isolated environments on the planet.
Microplastics in a remote lake basin of the Tibetan Plateau: Impacts of atmospheric transport and glacial melting
Researchers investigated microplastic contamination in a remote Tibetan Plateau lake basin, finding that both atmospheric transport via rainfall and glacial melting contribute microplastics to this pristine environment, with concentrations increasing in glacial meltwater areas.
Potential ecological risk of microplastics contamination to environment in protect area lakes
Researchers studied microplastic contamination in protected area lakes on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and found that even these remote, supposedly pristine environments contain microplastics. The study compared protected lakes with those outside protected areas and found contamination levels varied by region and economic development. This shows that microplastic pollution reaches even the most isolated freshwater sources, which could affect drinking water quality for surrounding communities.
Microplastics in the third pole of the world: Abundance and ecological risk assessment
Researchers measured microplastic contamination across the Yarlung Zangbo River Basin on the Tibetan Plateau, one of the most remote regions on Earth. While overall levels were lower than in more populated areas, concentrations increased downstream near human settlements, with sewage treatment plants identified as a significant entry point. The study shows that even the world's highest and most isolated ecosystems are not free from microplastic pollution.
Spatial characteristics of microplastics in the high-altitude area on the Tibetan Plateau
Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination across water bodies and sediments on the Tibetan Plateau, one of the most remote high-altitude regions on Earth, and found microplastics in every sample tested. Contamination levels were highest in turbid rivers and agricultural channels, and decreased at higher altitudes where there is less human activity. The study highlights that even remote, high-altitude areas are not free from microplastic pollution.
Microplastic contamination in high-altitude glacier lakes in Northern Anatolia
Researchers investigated microplastic contamination in eight high-altitude glacier lakes in northeastern Turkey and found plastic particles in both surface water and sediments at every site. The most common polymer types identified were polyethylene terephthalate and polyethylene, with concentrations varying significantly between lakes. The findings demonstrate that microplastic pollution has reached even remote mountain ecosystems far from major population centers.
Microplastic convergence in high-altitude lakes of the Tibetan Plateau: Mechanisms, indicators, and risk stratification
Researchers assessed microplastic pollution in 14 high-altitude freshwater lakes above 4,500 meters on the Tibetan Plateau, a region far from major human activity. Microplastics were detected at every site, with PET as the dominant polymer type, suggesting long-range atmospheric transport and local textile sources. The study developed a geospatial risk model showing that precipitation, surface runoff, and proximity to roads are key factors driving microplastic accumulation even in these remote environments.
Microplastics in glaciers of Tibetan Plateau: Characteristics and potential sources
Researchers found microplastics in glaciers across the Tibetan Plateau, one of the most remote regions on Earth, with an average of about 339 particles per liter of snow. The plastics likely traveled through the atmosphere from distant populated areas, showing that microplastic pollution is truly global. Since these glaciers feed major rivers that supply drinking water to billions of people in Asia, this contamination has direct implications for human health.
Microplastics in a Remote Lake Basin of the Tibetan Plateau: Impacts of Atmospheric Transport and Glacial Melting
Microplastics were found in a remote Tibetan Plateau lake basin and the researchers identified both long-range atmospheric transport and glacial meltwater as delivery pathways, with meltwater becoming an increasingly significant release mechanism as climate-driven glacier retreat accelerates.
Distinct profile of bacterial community and antibiotic resistance genes on microplastics in Ganjiang River at the watershed level
Researchers investigated microplastic pollution and associated bacterial communities, human pathogenic bacteria, and antibiotic resistance genes across the Ganjiang River watershed. They found microplastics were widely distributed with an average of 407 particles per cubic meter, and that microplastic surfaces harbored significantly higher bacterial diversity and more antibiotic resistance genes than surrounding water or sediment.
Occurrence of microplastics in the headwaters of Yellow River on the Tibetan Plateau: Source analysis and ecological risk assessment
Researchers documented microplastic contamination in the headwaters of the Yellow River on the Tibetan Plateau, a remote area often considered pristine. They found polypropylene and polyester particles to be the most common types, with sources linked to both local human activities and atmospheric transport. The study suggests that even remote high-altitude ecosystems are not immune to microplastic pollution and face associated ecological risks.
Distribution and risk assessment of microplastics in water, sediment and brine shrimps in a remote salt lake on the Tibetan Plateau, China
Microplastics were found in the water, sediment, and brine shrimp of a remote salt lake on the Tibetan Plateau, one of the most isolated ecosystems on Earth. Over 93% of the particles were tiny fragments under 0.5 mm, mostly polypropylene, carried to the lake by runoff. The finding demonstrates that microplastic pollution reaches even the most pristine environments, where salt layers in the water may actually increase how much plastic tiny organisms consume.