Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Additional file 1 of Microplastic contamination and risk assessment in the biotic and abiotic components of freshwater Manasbal Lake, western Himalaya, India

Researchers provided supplementary material supporting an assessment of microplastic contamination and ecological risk in both biotic and abiotic components of freshwater Manasbal Lake in the western Himalaya, India.

2025 Figshare
Article Tier 2

Microplastic contamination and risk assessment in the biotic and abiotic components of freshwater Manasbal Lake, western Himalaya, India

Researchers assessed microplastic abundance and characteristics across abiotic and biotic compartments of Manasbal Lake in the western Himalayas, finding that MPs are pervasive even in remote mountain catchments and presenting risk assessment data for this understudied high-altitude freshwater ecosystem.

2025 Figshare
Article Tier 2

Microplastic contamination and risk assessment in the biotic and abiotic components of freshwater Manasbal Lake, western Himalaya, India

Researchers assessed microplastic abundance and characteristics across abiotic and biotic compartments of Manasbal Lake in the western Himalayas, finding that MPs are pervasive even in remote mountain catchments and presenting risk assessment data for this understudied high-altitude freshwater ecosystem.

2025 Figshare
Article Tier 2

Microplastic contamination and risk assessment in the biotic and abiotic components of freshwater Manasbal Lake, western Himalaya, India

Researchers assessed microplastic contamination in both abiotic (water, sediment) and biotic (fish, invertebrates) components of Manasbal Lake in the western Himalaya, India, providing one of the first combined assessments of microplastic distribution in a remote mountain lake ecosystem. The study characterised microplastic abundance, morphology, and polymer types across compartments and conducted ecological risk assessments, finding measurable contamination despite the lake's remote location.

2025 ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS RESEARCH
Article Tier 2

Quantifying Microplastics Abundance and Their Implications as Vectors for Heavy Metal Adsorption in Freshwater Aquatic System of Kashmir Himalaya

Researchers measured microplastic abundance in both water and sediment of Manasbal Lake in the Kashmir Himalaya and examined how the particles interact with heavy metals. Microplastics were found throughout the lake and showed capacity to adsorb heavy metals, raising dual concerns about plastic particles and metal contamination in a sensitive Himalayan freshwater system.

2023
Article Tier 2

Spatial distribution and characteristics of microplastics and associated contaminants from mid-altitude lake in NW Himalaya

Researchers documented microplastic contamination and associated phthalate esters in Rewalsar Lake in the Northwest Himalayas, demonstrating that even remote mid-altitude freshwater lakes are significantly affected by microplastic pollution.

2023 Chemosphere 41 citations
Article Tier 2

Co-occurrence of microplastics and heavy metals in a freshwater lake system in Indian Himalaya: Distribution and influencing factors

Researchers found widespread microplastic contamination in both the water and sediments of Manasbal Lake in the Indian Himalayas, with concentrations up to 4,020 particles per kilogram of sediment. Domestic sewage was identified as the primary source, and the microplastics were found alongside elevated levels of heavy metals like lead. This co-contamination is concerning because microplastics can absorb and transport heavy metals, potentially increasing toxic exposure for communities that depend on the lake.

2024 Emerging contaminants 40 citations
Article Tier 2

Distribution and characteristics of microplastics and phthalate esters from a freshwater lake system in Lesser Himalayas

Researchers surveyed a freshwater lake system in the Indian Himalayas and found microplastics in all water and sediment samples, with concentrations highest near areas of human activity. They also detected phthalate esters, chemical additives commonly found in plastics, at levels that correlated with microplastic abundance. The study provides the first evidence of significant microplastic and associated chemical contamination in this relatively remote Himalayan freshwater ecosystem.

2021 Chemosphere 128 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in the high-altitude Himalayas: Assessment of microplastic contamination in freshwater lake sediments, Northwest Himalaya (India)

Researchers assessed microplastic contamination in sediments of freshwater Anchar Lake in the Kashmir Himalayas, finding an average of 606 particles per kilogram dominated by polyamide fibers, with domestic wastewater and textile sources identified as primary contributors.

2021 Chemosphere 166 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic and heavy metal contamination in sediments of the high-altitude Nundkol Lake of northwestern Himalayas-Kashmir

Researchers found both heavy metals and microplastics in the sediment of a remote high-altitude glacial lake in the Himalayas, with microplastic levels averaging 76 particles per kilogram of dry sediment — predominantly plastic fibers from nylon. The contamination is likely linked to tourism, trekking, and fishing activities in what was once considered a pristine wilderness area.

2024 Environmental Pollution and Management 9 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic pollution in high-altitude Nainital lake, Uttarakhand, India

This is the first study to document microplastic contamination in Nainital Lake, a high-altitude lake in the Indian Himalayas that serves as the main drinking water source for the local town. Researchers found microplastics in every sample, with concentrations up to 56 particles per liter in lake water. Tourist activities and runoff were identified as the main pollution sources, raising concerns about drinking water safety for the local population.

2024 Environmental Pollution 33 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2020 Chemosphere 132 citations
Article Tier 2

Identification, characterization, and quantification of microplastics in water and sediments of high-altitude Himalayan Dal Lake

Scientists found tiny plastic particles called microplastics in both the water and bottom sediments of Dal Lake, a high-altitude lake in the Himalayas. This discovery is concerning because it shows plastic pollution has reached even remote mountain areas, and these microscopic plastic pieces can enter our food chain through fish and drinking water. The findings suggest that microplastic contamination is more widespread than previously thought, potentially affecting water sources that communities depend on for drinking and fishing.

2026 Environmental Research Water
Article Tier 2

Microplastic contamination in environmental matrices of multi-basin Dal Lake, Kashmir

Researchers investigated microplastic contamination across water, sediment, and fish in Dal Lake, Kashmir, and found that sediments contained far higher concentrations than water or fish tissue. Polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene were the most common plastic types identified, with finer sediment particles trapping more microplastics. Ecological risk assessments indicated moderate pollution levels, raising concerns about this popular freshwater ecosystem.

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

Pollution status of microplastics in the sediments of warm monomictic Dal lake, India: Abundance, composition, and risk assessment

Researchers conducted the first investigation of microplastic contamination in the sediments of Dal Lake in Jammu and Kashmir, India. They found concentrations ranging from 503 to over 3,000 particles per kilogram, with the highest levels occurring in spring, and identified multiple polymer types with polyester and polyethylene being most common. The study establishes baseline pollution data for this ecologically important lake and highlights the seasonal patterns of microplastic accumulation.

2024 Environmental Pollution 8 citations
Article Tier 2

Lake sediments act as a sink of microplastics in the High-Altitude Himalayan Dal Lake, India

Researchers quantified microplastic concentrations in surface water and sediments of Dal Lake, a high-altitude Himalayan urban lake in India at 1,583 meters elevation, finding sediment concentrations up to nearly 13,000 particles per kilogram dry weight and concluding that lake sediments act as a long-term sink for microplastic accumulation.

2025
Article Tier 2

Characterization and risk assessment of microplastic contamination in a tropical man-made Lake and adjacent water using multi-approach analysis

This study investigated microplastic contamination in Kaptai Lake, the largest artificial lake in South Asia, and found concentrations ranging from 650 to 2,450 items per cubic meter in water and 135 to 607.5 items per kilogram in sediment. The majority of identified microplastics were small fibers less than 0.5 mm, with spatial variation influenced by polymer properties, local geography, and pollution sources.

2025 Journal of Contaminant Hydrology 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Seasonal distribution of microplastics and associated ecological risks in a semi-arid freshwater ecosystem in India

Researchers measured microplastic contamination across seasons in a semi-arid lake in northwestern India and found significantly higher levels after the monsoon season compared to before. The most common plastics detected were polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene, mostly in the form of fragments and fibers smaller than 500 micrometers. Risk assessments indicated that about 70% of the lake area faces very high ecological risk from microplastic pollution in both seasons.

2025 Environmental Pollution 10 citations
Article Tier 2

Spatial distribution of microplastics in the sandynulla lake and parson valley lake in the reserve forest region: An environmental assessment.

This study examined microplastic distribution in Sandynulla Lake and Parsons Valley Lake in the Nilgiris District of India, identifying the types, concentrations, and morphological characteristics of particles present. The findings contribute baseline data on microplastic contamination in South Indian highland lake ecosystems.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Characterization of microplastics and its Pollution load index in freshwater Kumaraswamy Lake of Coimbatore, India

This study characterized microplastic abundance and composition in Kumaraswamy Lake, a freshwater body in India, mapping spatial distribution and calculating a pollution load index to assess the extent and risk of microplastic contamination.

2023 Research Square (Research Square) 4 citations
Article Tier 2

Distribution and characteristics of microplastics and phthalate esters from a freshwater lake system in Lesser Himalayas

Researchers investigated microplastics and phthalate ester contamination in freshwater lakes of the Lesser Himalayas in India, detecting MPs in all water and sediment samples at concentrations ranging from 2 to 64 particles per liter alongside co-occurring chemical plasticizers.

2022 7 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in the himalayan glaciers: a looming environmental threat

This review summarized evidence for microplastic contamination in Himalayan glaciers and discussed the implications for the freshwater resources these glaciers supply to millions of people. Microplastic accumulation in glacial ice represents a time-delayed release of pollution into downstream water systems as glaciers melt.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Microplastics as an emerging threat to the freshwater ecosystems of Veeranam lake in south India: A multidimensional approach

Microplastic contamination in water and soil samples from Veeranam Lake in Tamil Nadu, India was quantified and characterized as a multidimensional assessment of an emerging freshwater pollution threat. The study documented microplastics in both water and surrounding soils, establishing baseline data for a lake region important to local communities.

2020 Chemosphere 167 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic pollution in Himalayan lakes: assessment, risks, and sustainable remediation strategies

This review examines microplastic contamination in ecologically sensitive Himalayan lakes, where pollution enters through tourism, glacier melt, and atmospheric deposition. Researchers found that these remote high-altitude ecosystems face growing contamination but are severely understudied due to harsh conditions and logistical challenges. The study evaluates remediation strategies including nanotechnology-based solutions and highlights the need for more research on microplastic behavior in these isolated freshwater systems.

2025 Beilstein Journal of Nanotechnology 1 citations