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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Trends and gaps in microplastics research in Tropical freshwater ecosystems
ClearMicroplastics in tropical Andean rivers: A perspective from a highly populated Ecuadorian basin without wastewater treatment
Researchers measured microplastic concentrations in a highly populated Ecuadorian river basin that lacks wastewater treatment, finding contamination throughout the system and demonstrating that rivers in low-income tropical countries with poor infrastructure are major conduits for microplastics.
Microplastics in freshwater ecosystems: what we know and what we need to know
This review examines the state of knowledge on microplastic contamination in freshwater ecosystems, which have received far less scientific attention than marine environments despite being major pathways for plastic transport. Researchers found that freshwater microplastic concentrations can be extremely high near urban areas and that organisms from insects to fish readily ingest these particles. The study identifies key research gaps including the need for standardized detection methods and better understanding of how microplastics move through and affect freshwater food webs.
Unraveling Microplastic Presence in Freshwater and Sediment of Rejoso River, Indonesia
Researchers investigated microplastic presence in water and sediment of the Rejoso River in Indonesia across 12 sampling sites, characterizing the types, abundances, and distribution patterns of microplastic particles in this tropical freshwater system.
High abundances of microplastics in a tropical urban stream, negatively related to precipitation.
Researchers measured microplastic concentrations in an urban tropical stream over nine months and found very high levels, inversely correlated with rainfall — more rain diluted particle concentrations. The stream drained commercial and residential areas, reflecting the high plastic waste burden of urban environments in tropical regions. These findings suggest urban streams are important but understudied conduits for microplastics to enter larger water bodies.
Microplastics in freshwater systems: A review of the emerging threats, identification of knowledge gaps and prioritisation of research needs
This review synthesizes the growing body of research on microplastic contamination in freshwater rivers, lakes, and sediments, which has received far less attention than marine environments. Researchers found that freshwater microplastic concentrations can rival or exceed those reported in ocean studies, particularly near urban and industrial areas. The study identifies critical knowledge gaps including the lack of standardized sampling methods and limited understanding of how microplastics affect freshwater organisms and ecosystems.
Relative contributions of different local sources to riverborne microplastic in a mixed landuse area within a tropical catchment
Researchers quantified the relative contributions of different land-use sources to riverborne microplastics in a tropical catchment, providing data to help prioritize pollution reduction measures for protecting human and ecological health.
Assessment of microplastics in freshwater systems: A review
This review of microplastic research in freshwater systems found that while most pollution studies have focused on marine environments, freshwaters are major conduits and sinks for microplastics, with WWTPs being a key pathway rather than a complete barrier. The authors call for standardized methods and more research on freshwater microplastic sources, distribution, and effects.
The need of ecohydrological research in tropical forests for healthy watersheds
This paper is not relevant to microplastics; it argues for more ecohydrological research in tropical forests to understand water cycling and watershed health.
Microplastics as contaminants in freshwater environments: A multidisciplinary review
This multidisciplinary review covers microplastic sources, abundance, composition, transport, and biological effects in freshwater systems globally, arguing that freshwater environments are both major conduits and sinks for microplastic pollution.
A multidimensional approach for microplastics monitoring in two major tropical river basins, Malaysia
Researchers conducted a multidimensional assessment of microplastic distribution in surface waters of two major Malaysian river basins, providing much-needed field data on microplastic emissions from Asian rivers known to be major contributors to ocean pollution.
Freshwater plastic pollution: Recognizing research biases and identifying knowledge gaps
Researchers conducted a bibliometric review of freshwater plastic pollution research and identified major gaps: data from the most polluted Asian rivers is severely underrepresented, submerged macroplastics are almost entirely unstudied, and studies of plastic impacts on freshwater fauna lag far behind comparable marine research — limiting the ability to accurately estimate river-to-ocean plastic flux.
Distribution, biological effects and biofilms of microplastics in freshwater systems - A review
This review examines microplastic distribution, biological effects, and biofilm formation in freshwater systems, highlighting knowledge gaps compared to marine studies and the ecological risks posed by microplastics as vectors for pathogens and pollutants.
Microsynthetics in waters of the South American Pantanal
Researchers sampled microplastics from water courses, lakes, and floodplains across 16 locations in the South American Pantanal wetland using plankton nets, documenting microplastic contamination in one of the world's largest tropical freshwater ecosystems.
Sources, Occurrence, and Analysis of Microplastics in Freshwater Environments
This review summarizes current knowledge on microplastic sources and occurrence in freshwater environments, noting that freshwater systems are major conduits delivering microplastics to the ocean. The review highlights that freshwater microplastic research lags far behind marine studies despite rivers and lakes being primary pollution pathways.
Microplastics pollution in selected rivers from Southeast Asia
Researchers surveyed microplastic pollution in rivers across Southeast Asia, a region with high plastic waste discharge but limited monitoring data, documenting the distribution and characteristics of microplastics in these understudied waterways.
How natural and anthropogenic factors should drive microplastic behavior and fate: The scenario of Brazilian urban freshwater
This review examines the factors driving microplastic contamination in Brazilian freshwater systems, including the country's massive plastic production and limited recycling infrastructure. Researchers highlight that more than half of post-consumer plastic packaging in Brazil goes unmonitored, and most microplastic research has focused on marine environments while freshwater data remains scarce. The study calls for more systematic monitoring of Brazilian rivers and lakes, especially given the country's continental-scale waterways and diverse ecosystems.
Microplastic Pollution in Inland Waters Focusing on Asia
This review synthesized research on microplastic pollution in inland waters across Asia, documenting that rivers, lakes, and reservoirs are heavily contaminated and identifying key knowledge gaps in monitoring and ecological impact assessment.
Microplastics in Freshwater Environments and Implications for Aquatic Ecosystems: A Mini Review and Future Directions in Ghana
This mini-review summarized the state of microplastic research in Ghana's freshwater systems, finding a significant research gap despite growing concern about aquatic ecosystem impacts. Freshwater microplastic research in sub-Saharan Africa lags behind marine studies, leaving local ecosystems and communities underprotected.
Beyond the ocean: contamination of freshwater ecosystems with (micro-)plastic particles
This review examined the available data on microplastic contamination in freshwater ecosystems — rivers, lakes, and urban water systems — and found it to be widespread globally, though often underreported compared to marine environments. The authors highlight the need for reliable concentration data and chemical characterization of freshwater plastics to properly assess ecological risk.
Land use-based characterization and source apportionment of microplastics in urban storm runoffs in a tropical region
Urban stormwater runoff in a tropical monsoon region contained 4.7 particles/L and 3.8 mg/L microplastics on average, with concentrations following land use order of industrial > transportation > commercial > residential, and approximately 85% of sources identifiable by morphology and polymer type.
Microplastics pollution in the South American Pantanal
Researchers sampled microplastics in the affluents and floodplains of the South American Pantanal wetland ecosystem, documenting this emerging threat to one of the world's largest tropical floodplains near urban pollution sources and in remote lowland areas.
From Origins to Impacts: A Comprehensive Review of Microplastics in Freshwater Environments
This comprehensive review covers microplastics in freshwater ecosystems from sources and transport to biological uptake and food web effects, synthesizing current evidence on ecological risks and identifying research priorities.
Microplastic pollution in aquatic environments in Africa: status and research opportunities
This review examines the status of microplastic pollution research in African aquatic environments, noting that Africa's high rate of plastic waste mismanagement has resulted in widespread contamination of freshwater and marine ecosystems. Researchers found significant research gaps in the region despite its outsized contribution to global plastic pollution, and identified opportunities for expanded monitoring given microplastics' capacity to adsorb persistent organic pollutants.
Microplastics in the Aquatic Environment: Overview of the Problem and Current Research Areas
This review summarizes the current state of microplastic research in aquatic environments, covering sources, distribution, ecological impacts, and knowledge gaps. The paper identifies priority research areas needed to better understand and manage microplastic contamination in water bodies.