Papers

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Article Tier 2

The seasonal variation and ecological risk of microplastics in the Lower Ganges River, Bangladesh

Researchers characterized seasonal variation in microplastic abundance and polymer composition in the lower Ganges River, finding that monsoon flows dramatically increase microplastic loads and that dry season concentrations reflect local urban pollution.

2024 Water Environment Research 7 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in Sitalakhya River: Distribution and Properties Across Land Uses in Dhaka's Peripheral Waterway

Researchers investigated microplastic pollution in the water and bed sediments of the Sitalakhya River on the periphery of Dhaka city, sampling four locations representing commercial, residential, industrial, and agricultural land uses and finding microplastic abundances ranging from 20 to 412 items/kg in sediment and 3 to 38 items/100L in water. The study found that land use type significantly influenced both the abundance and physical characteristics of microplastics, with industrial zones exhibiting the highest contamination levels.

2024
Article Tier 2

Abundance and Distribution of Microplastics in Surface Water and Sediment of Two Selected Rivers in Bangladesh

Researchers found microplastics in both surface water and sediment of the Jamuna and Turag Rivers in Bangladesh, identifying 145 and 261 microplastic particles respectively across sampling stations, highlighting emerging plastic pollution in South Asian freshwater systems.

2022 Environmental Engineering and Management Journal 20 citations
Article Tier 2

Evaluating the sources of microplastic contamination and quantifying its abundance in the Balu River, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Researchers investigated the sources and abundance of microplastic contamination in the Balu River in Dhaka, Bangladesh. They found that textile and industrial waste were major contributors to microplastic pollution, with fibers being the most common type detected in surface water samples. The study provides baseline data on river microplastic contamination in a densely populated urban area and calls for better waste management practices.

2024 Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 22 citations
Article Tier 2

Spatio-temporal distribution and ecological risks of microplastics in surface water and sediments of Bangshi River

A seasonal survey of the Bangshi River in Bangladesh found microplastics at all 10 sampling sites, with concentrations spiking during monsoon season as runoff flushed plastics from urban and industrial areas into the river. Ecological risk assessments classified both the water and sediments in the most extreme hazard category, signalling urgent risks to the river's aquatic life and the communities that depend on it.

2026 Figshare
Article Tier 2

Abundance, characteristics, and ecological risks of microplastics in the riverbed sediments around Dhaka city

Researchers analyzed riverbed sediments around Dhaka, Bangladesh and found medium-level microplastic pollution dominated by polyethylene, polypropylene, and PET from urban and industrial sources. All sampling sites showed pollution levels above baseline, with ecological risk assessments ranging from medium to very high depending on location. The study fills an important data gap on freshwater microplastic contamination in one of the world's most densely populated urban areas.

2023 The Science of The Total Environment 42 citations
Article Tier 2

Extent and distribution of microplastic contamination in the benthic sediment of Turag river in Bangladesh

Researchers quantified microplastic contamination in benthic sediments of the Turag River in Bangladesh, finding widespread microplastic accumulation that poses threats to benthic communities and highlights a significant knowledge gap in freshwater sediment microplastic studies.

2022 Global NEST International Conference on Environmental Science & Technology
Article Tier 2

Abundance, distribution and composition of microplastics in sediment and fish species from an Urban River of Bangladesh

Researchers examined microplastic contamination in both river sediment and fish from the Turag River in Bangladesh, which separates an industrial city from the capital Dhaka. They found microplastics in all sediment and fish gut samples, with fragment-type particles dominating in sediment and fibers most common in fish. The study highlights that urban rivers in densely populated areas can serve as significant conduits of microplastic exposure for both aquatic life and the people who consume river fish.

2023 The Science of The Total Environment 85 citations
Article Tier 2

Pervasiveness and characteristics of microplastics in surface water and sediment of the Buriganga River, Bangladesh

Researchers investigated microplastic contamination in the Buriganga River in Bangladesh, finding concentrations of 4.33 to 43.67 items per liter in surface water, with fibers and fragments as dominant types linked to textile industries and urban waste discharge in the Dhaka megacity.

2022 Chemosphere 80 citations
Article Tier 2

A Study of Microplastics in the Freshwater Systems around Dhaka

Researchers quantified and characterised microplastic contamination in surface water and sediments of rivers around Dhaka, Bangladesh using NOAA-recommended methods, finding the highest pollution in the Buriganga River at 3.65 items per litre in surface water and 43.1 items per kilogram in sediment.

2024 Preprints.org
Article Tier 2

Microplastic pollution in the water and sediment of the Karnaphuli River, Bangladesh: An ecological risk assessment

Researchers assessed the spatial and seasonal distribution of microplastics along the Karnaphuli River in Chattogram, Bangladesh. Microplastic concentrations were higher in sediment than surface water and elevated in downstream locations, with fibers and fragments of PET, polyethylene, and polystyrene being the most common types, and the ecological risk assessment rated the pollution as Category I, indicating a significant pollution load.

2025 Marine Pollution Bulletin 5 citations
Article Tier 2

Characterization and Quantification of Microplastics in Surface Water of Shitalakshya River, Bangladesh

Researchers characterized and quantified microplastics in surface water samples from the Shitalakshya River in Bangladesh, finding an average concentration of 1.52 particles per liter. Fibers made up over 68% of particles found, with black being the most common color and polyethylene the dominant polymer type. The findings indicate that this industrial-area river is becoming increasingly contaminated with microplastics, posing ecological risks to the urban river ecosystem.

2025 Dhaka University Journal of Science 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Seasonal Dynamics of Microplastic Pollution in the River Ganga: A Case Study from Bihar

Researchers sampled microplastics at three locations along the Ganga River in Bihar, India, comparing concentrations before and after the monsoon season. Pre-monsoon levels averaged 1,045 particles per sample versus 624 post-monsoon, with higher dry-season concentrations attributed to reduced river flow and concentrated human activity near the riverbanks.

2025 International Journal of Plant and Environment
Article Tier 2

Effects of seasonal variation and resuspension on microplastics in river sediments

Researchers measured microplastic concentrations in river sediments across multiple seasons and examined the role of resuspension events, finding that MP levels varied significantly by season and that high-flow events released previously deposited particles, redistributing contamination downstream.

2021 Environmental Pollution 214 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics pollution in the river Karnaphuli: a preliminary study on a tidal confluence river in the southeast coast of Bangladesh

Researchers found high concentrations of microplastics in the surface water and sediments of Bangladesh's Karnaphuli River, with downstream areas showing the greatest abundance, fibers as the dominant type, and polyethylene terephthalate as the most common polymer.

2022 Environmental Science and Pollution Research 32 citations
Article Tier 2

Critical analysis, characterization, and treatment of microplastics in the peripheral rivers of Dhaka city: Buriganga and Turag

Systematic analysis of microplastic contamination in the Buriganga and Turag rivers of Dhaka found that pollution characteristics varied by matrix (water vs. sediment) and season, and that electrocoagulation treatment effectively reduced microplastic concentrations, offering a practical water treatment solution for these heavily polluted urban waterways.

2025 Environmental Science Advances 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Characterization and spatial distribution of microplastics in Surma river, Bangladesh: Assessing water and sediment dynamics

Researchers characterized the abundance, distribution, and types of microplastics in the water and sediments of the Surma River in Bangladesh. They found widespread microplastic contamination, with fibers being the dominant particle shape, linked to nearby textile and urban sources. The study provides baseline data on microplastic pollution in a major South Asian river system and highlights the need for mitigation strategies.

2024 Water Environment Research 13 citations
Article Tier 2

Spatiotemporal distribution of microplastic debris in the surface beach sediment of the southeastern coast of Bangladesh

A spatiotemporal analysis of microplastics in beach sediments across 7 coastal sites in Bangladesh found an average concentration of 242 particles per kilogram dry weight, with significant seasonal and spatial variation driven by monsoon patterns and proximity to urban areas.

2023 Heliyon 26 citations
Article Tier 2

Spatiotemporal trends and characteristics of microplastic contamination in a large river-dominated estuary

Researchers characterized spatiotemporal trends in microplastic contamination in the Karnaphuli River estuary in Bangladesh, finding significant correlations between microplastic abundance and water quality parameters across upstream, midstream, and downstream sites.

2023 Environmental Science Processes & Impacts 36 citations
Article Tier 2

Quantification, characterization and risk assessment of microplastics from five major estuaries along the northern Bay of Bengal coast

Researchers measured microplastic pollution in five major estuaries along the Bay of Bengal coast in Bangladesh and found contamination at every site, with polyethylene being the most common plastic type. The rivers were classified at the most severe hazard level for microplastic contamination based on the types of polymers found. Since these estuaries supply water and fish to millions of people, the contamination raises concerns about human exposure through drinking water and seafood.

2023 Environmental Pollution 46 citations
Article Tier 2

Risk assessment of microplastic pollution in urban lakes and peripheral Rivers of Dhaka, Bangladesh

Researchers assessed microplastic abundance and ecological risk in urban lake and river surface water and sediments across Dhaka, Bangladesh. Microplastics were detected at all 19 sites, with polymer hazard quotients indicating elevated ecological risk, particularly in heavily urbanized and industrialized locations.

2022 Journal of Hazardous Materials Advances 67 citations
Meta Analysis Tier 1

Microplastics pollution in aquatic ecosystems of Bangladesh — A critical review on research trends and future perspectives

This review found widespread microplastic contamination across all aquatic compartments in Bangladesh, with average concentrations of 4.92 particles/L in water and 118.40 particles/kg in sediment. Polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene fibers and fragments predominated, with freshwater fish accumulating the most microplastics per organism.

2025 The Science of The Total Environment 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in major urban lakes of Dhaka, Bangladesh

Researchers measured microplastic contamination in three major urban lakes in Dhaka, Bangladesh, finding plastic particles in the water, sediment, and fish at all sites. The dominant plastics were common consumer types like polyethylene and PVC, with sizes mostly under 100 micrometers. Since these lakes are in a densely populated urban area, the findings raise concerns about microplastic exposure for the local population through both water and fish consumption.

2023 Heliyon 75 citations
Article Tier 2

Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in major urban wetlands of Dhaka, Bangladesh

Microplastics were found in water, sediment, and fish from three major urban lakes in Dhaka, Bangladesh, with concentrations ranging from 0 to 9 items per liter in water samples. Fibers were the most common type across all matrices, pointing to textile washing and wastewater discharge as key local sources.

2022 8 citations