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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Spatiotemporal response of microplastics to natural and anthropogenic factors in estuarine waters
ClearIdentification of the driving factors of microplastic load and morphology in estuaries for improving monitoring and management strategies: A global meta-analysis
Across 1,477 observations from 124 estuaries worldwide, microplastic abundance averaged 21,342 items/m3 in water and 1,313 items/kg in sediment, with about 69-86% of particles smaller than 1 mm. Population density and mismanaged plastic waste drove water contamination, while 47% of estuarine water and 73% of sediment samples reached the highest potential ecological risk category.
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.
Correlation between microplastics estimation and human development index
Researchers analyzed the relationship between mismanaged municipal plastic waste (MMPW) and the Human Development Index (HDI) across countries with rivers flowing to the sea. They found that MMPW increases with HDI in lower-income nations but decreases with HDI in high-income countries, revealing that economic development patterns shape plastic pollution generation in contrasting ways.
Population density and agricultural land cover influence microplastic concentrations in river sediments
Researchers measured microplastic concentrations in river sediments across nine Mid-Atlantic US watersheds and compared findings from 18 countries, finding no consistent longitudinal trend from headwaters to downstream reaches, but identifying population density and agricultural land cover as significant positive predictors of MP accumulation at a global scale.
Microplastic in three urban estuaries, China
Researchers surveyed three urban estuaries in China and found microplastics throughout, with concentrations and types reflecting the combined influence of surrounding city density, stormwater runoff, and tidal mixing.
A Regional Difference Analysis of Microplastic Pollution in Global Freshwater Bodies Based on a Regression Model
Analysis of microplastic data from 37 freshwater locations worldwide found pollution is highest in Asia, that developing countries have more contamination than developed ones, and that urban areas exceed rural areas. Population density and GDP both correlated with microplastic concentrations, confirming human activity as the primary driver.
The fate of plastic litter within estuarine compartments: An overview of current knowledge for the transboundary issue to guide future assessments
Researchers reviewed global knowledge on plastic fate within estuaries and found plastic concentrations reaching thousands of items per cubic meter in water and sediment, while identifying major methodological gaps — particularly that microfibers are consistently undersampled and that studies rarely account for ecological trophic gradients or the physicochemical dynamics driving plastic distribution and bioavailability.
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.
The estuarine plastics budget: A conceptual model and meta-analysis of microplastic abundance in estuarine systems
This meta-analysis examines how microplastics move through estuaries on their way to the ocean, finding that these transitional waterways act as both transport routes and temporary storage areas for plastic debris. Understanding microplastic behavior in estuaries matters because many communities rely on estuarine waters for fishing, recreation, and sometimes drinking water.
Hydro-sedimentary conditions shape the microplastic occurrence in sediments of the Pearl River Estuary (China)
A field study of the Pearl River Estuary in southern China found microplastic concentrations in sediments ranging from 4 to 220 particles/kg, with higher abundance in nearshore zones, and identified hydrodynamic conditions and proximity to urban areas as the main drivers of spatial variation.
Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments: Insights into microplastic accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries
Researchers surveyed microplastic abundance in beach sediments across seven locations in Mobile Bay, a northern Gulf of Mexico estuary. The study found microplastics were ubiquitous at concentrations 66 to 253 times higher than reported for the open ocean, with polypropylene and polyethylene being the most common polymers, highlighting the extent of microplastic accumulation in estuarine environments.
Disentangling the anthropogenic and environmental correlates of microplastic pollution in the coastal waters of a metropolis in Southern China
Researchers surveyed 31 sites across Hong Kong's coastal waters and found microplastics at every location, with concentrations ranging widely depending on local conditions. They analyzed both human activity patterns and environmental factors to identify the main drivers of contamination. The study found that population density and proximity to urban discharge points were strongly associated with higher microplastic levels in surface waters.
Towards Characterising Microplastic Abundance, Typology and Retention in Mangrove-Dominated Estuaries
Microplastic pollution levels, morphotype diversity, and polymer composition were compared across four South African estuaries, finding that open estuaries with high surrounding population densities and diverse land use had the highest MP contamination, with microfibres dominating in all systems.
Spatial Distribution, Key Influencing Factors, and Ecological Risk of Microplastics in Pearl River Estuary Water and Sediments
Researchers mapped the distribution of microplastics in the water and sediments of the Pearl River Estuary in China and identified the key factors driving contamination levels. Fibers were the most common microplastic type found, and human activity along the coast strongly influenced pollution patterns. The study also assessed ecological risks and provides a framework for understanding how microplastics accumulate in heavily populated estuarine environments.
The distribution and ecological effects of microplastics in an estuarine ecosystem
Researchers surveyed 22 intertidal sites and found that microplastic abundance, size, and diversity correlated with benthic microalgal communities and sediment biostabilization properties in an estuarine ecosystem.
Microplastic pollution in Chinese bays: Sampling method comparisons, key drivers, and economic influence
Researchers compiled microplastic data from over 300 sampling stations across 13 bays in China and compared three different water sampling methods. They found that microplastic distribution was heterogeneous across bays and that sampling method significantly affected measured abundance, though not the types of polymers detected. The study also found a positive correlation between regional economic development and microplastic pollution levels, suggesting that human activity intensity is a key driver of coastal contamination.
The never-ending story of dangerous ubiquitous particles: A meta-analysis of microplastics
This meta-analysis of 93 studies and 1,542 data points found that microplastic contamination is pervasive across marine, freshwater, and estuarine environments, with fibers (42%) and fragments (37%) dominating globally. The type of environment was the strongest predictor of microplastic prevalence, underscoring that freshwater and estuarine systems deserve more research attention alongside marine settings.
Microplastic in bivalves of an urbanized Brazilian estuary: Human modification, population density and vegetation influence
Researchers measured microplastic contamination in oysters, clams, and mussels from a heavily urbanized estuary in Brazil, finding that industrial and port activities were stronger predictors of contamination than population density. Clams accumulated the most microplastics, and the study highlights how shellfish from polluted coastal areas can serve as indicators of the microplastic levels humans may be exposed to through seafood.
Urbanization increases microplastic pollution in beach sediments along the Chennai Coast, South India
Surveys of beaches in China found that microplastic concentrations rise with proximity to urban areas, with higher urbanization correlating with more fragments and pellets in sediments. The findings underscore how human population density directly drives coastal microplastic pollution levels.
Study on the Mass Concentration Distributions of Marine Microplastics in Estuaries and Coastal Areas
Researchers characterized the mass concentration distribution of marine microplastics in estuarine and coastal environments, measuring spatial gradients between river mouths and open coastal waters and identifying estuaries as major transition zones for microplastic flux.
Coupled effects of urbanization level and dam on microplastics in surface waters in a coastal watershed of Southeast China
Researchers analyzed the distribution of microplastics across 17 sampling sites in the Minjiang River Watershed in southeast China, finding that microplastic concentrations were positively correlated with urbanization indicators and that dams influenced spatial distribution patterns.
Microplastics in sediments: a comparison within zones located worldwide with different impact
Researchers quantified and compared microplastic abundance in marine sediment samples collected from 25 sites across six coastal areas worldwide at depths ranging from 1 to 426 metres during 2022 and 2023. The study found a mean abundance of 308.81 items per kg dry weight across all sites, with concentrations varying substantially by location and reflecting differing levels of anthropogenic influence.
Contamination by microplastics in oysters shows a widespread but patchy occurrence in a subtropical estuarine system
Researchers examined microplastic contamination in oysters across a subtropical estuarine system and found widespread but highly variable levels of pollution. Higher contamination generally correlated with areas of greater human activity, though unexpectedly high levels were also found in remote marine protected areas. The study found that 94 percent of oyster samples contained microplastics, suggesting these bivalves could serve as indicators of environmental contamination.
Microplastic pollution in tropical estuary gastropods: Abundance, distribution and potential sources of Klang River estuary, Malaysia
Researchers conducted a baseline study of microplastic abundance and distribution in gastropods from the Klang River estuary in Malaysia, finding concentrations ranging from 0.50 to 1.75 particles per gram and a predominance of fibres (91%) mostly in the 300-1000 µm size range. The higher microplastic loads in upper estuary samples near the urbanised river catchment indicated that terrestrial runoff was the primary source.