Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

[Composition and Distribution Characteristics of Microplastics in Danjiangkou Reservoir and Its Tributaries].

Researchers analyzed the types, abundance, and distribution of microplastics in Danjiangkou Reservoir, a first-class drinking water source protection area in China. Finding microplastics in a protected drinking water source underscores the need for improved upstream plastic waste management and water treatment to protect public health.

2021 PubMed 6 citations
Article Tier 2

Seasonal variations of microplastics in surface water and sediment in an inland river drinking water source in southern China

Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination in surface water and sediment of a southern China river used as a drinking water source during both flooding and dry seasons. They found microplastic abundances were generally higher during the dry period, with fibers being the dominant type and polyethylene the most common polymer. The study suggests that seasonal hydrological changes significantly affect microplastic distribution in inland drinking water sources.

2023 The Science of The Total Environment 54 citations
Article Tier 2

Occurrence and Risk Assessment of Microplastics in a Source Water Reservoir in Middle Reaches of Yellow River

Researchers assessed microplastic occurrence and associated risk in a source water reservoir in Malaysia, detecting particles across multiple sampling sites and identifying dominant polymer types and size fractions relevant to drinking water safety.

2024 Water 6 citations
Article Tier 2

A Study on Distribution of Characteristics of Microplastic in the Han-River Watershed

Scientists mapped the distribution and characteristics of microplastics throughout the Han River watershed in South Korea, including tributaries and sections that serve as drinking water sources, and found widespread contamination varying by location and flow conditions. The findings underscore the need for better monitoring and management of microplastics in freshwater systems that supply drinking water to millions of people.

2024 Journal of Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic pollution responses to spatial and seasonal variations and water level management in a polymictic tropical reservoir (São Paulo, Brazil)

Researchers assessed microplastic pollution in water and sediment from the Guarapiranga Reservoir in Brazil, which supplies drinking water to over five million people. They found that microplastic concentrations were higher near urbanized areas and during the dry season, with water management operations like reservoir drawdowns influencing particle distribution. The study highlights the connection between urban land use, seasonal patterns, and microplastic contamination in critical drinking water sources.

2024 Environmental Science and Pollution Research 10 citations
Article Tier 2

Environmental fate of microplastics in an urban river: Spatial distribution and seasonal variation

Researchers investigated microplastic distribution along an urban river in Guangzhou, China, finding that abundance increased from upstream to midstream and decreased toward the estuary, with seasonal variation linked to rainfall and human activity patterns.

2023 Environmental Pollution 56 citations
Article Tier 2

Occurrence, stability and source identification of small size microplastics in the Jiayan reservoir, China

Microplastics across a full size range were found in a Chinese reservoir, with small-sized particles (less than 300 micrometers) dominating and showing seasonal variation linked to rainfall and runoff, highlighting reservoirs as underappreciated sinks and sources of fine microplastic pollution.

2021 The Science of The Total Environment 50 citations
Article Tier 2

[Spatial Variation and Potential Sources of Microplastics in Rivers in Tongzhou District, Beijing].

Researchers sampled water from 19 sites across six rivers in Tongzhou District, Beijing, and found microplastic contamination at all sites, with the Xiaozhong River showing the highest abundance at 3.50x10^4 particles per cubic meter — about four times higher than the least-polluted river — with agricultural films and synthetic textiles identified as primary sources.

2022 PubMed 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Temporal and Spatial Distribution Characteristics of Microplastics and Their Influencing Factors in the Lincheng River, Zhoushan City, China

Researchers analyzed temporal and spatial distribution patterns of microplastics in the Lincheng River in Zhoushan, China, finding that microplastic abundance is influenced by seasonal runoff, land use, and proximity to urban and industrial sources before entering the ocean.

2023 Processes 8 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic pollution in China's inland water systems: A review of findings, methods, characteristics, effects, and management

This review synthesized findings on microplastic pollution across China's inland water systems — rivers, lakes, and reservoirs — documenting widespread contamination and identifying gaps in monitoring methods and research coverage.

2018 The Science of The Total Environment 511 citations
Article Tier 2

The hydro-fluctuation belt of the Three Gorges Reservoir: Source or sink of microplastics in the water?

The water-level fluctuation zone of the Three Gorges Reservoir in China was found to be both a source and sink for microplastics depending on season, with high concentrations of plastic particles in the sediment. This large reservoir acts as an accumulation point for microplastics from upstream rivers.

2019 Environmental Pollution 62 citations
Article Tier 2

Spatiotemporal dynamics of microplastics in an urban river network area

Researchers investigated microplastic dynamics in an urban river network in eastern China, finding abundances of 2.3 to 104.6 particles per liter that were significantly higher during wet seasons and concentrated near commercial, industrial, and wastewater discharge areas.

2022 Water Research 161 citations
Article Tier 2

Presence of microplastics in drinking water from freshwater sources: the investigation in Changsha, China

Researchers measured microplastic abundance at multiple stages of a drinking water supply chain in Changsha, China — from source freshwater through treatment to household taps — finding that water treatment reduced MP concentrations by more than 85% but tap water still contained an average of 344 particles per liter.

2021 Environmental Science and Pollution Research 168 citations
Article Tier 2

[Temporal and Spatial Distribution and Risk Assessment of Microplastics in Multiple Media of an Urban River].

Researchers collected water and sediment samples from the Guanzhong section of the Weihe River Basin during wet and dry seasons to characterize the temporal and spatial distribution and risk of microplastics in an urban river system. Using density flotation and multiple analytical methods, they systematically documented microplastic abundance, morphology, and polymer composition across multiple environmental media.

2025 PubMed
Article Tier 2

Understanding the seasonal variation of the microplastics occurrence and source in the water source: upstream of the Huangpu River in Shanghai as an example

This study examined seasonal variation in microplastic occurrence and potential sources in a monitored water system, finding higher MP concentrations during warmer months and identifying runoff from plastic-intensive land uses as the dominant seasonal driver.

2025 Environmental Research 3 citations
Article Tier 2

[Distribution Characteristics and Risk Assessment of Microplastics in Water of Different Functional Parks in Guilin].

Researchers measured microplastic concentrations in the water of parks with different functions in Guilin, China. Microplastics were found in all park types, with concentrations varying based on human activity levels and proximity to pollution sources. Urban parks can serve as important monitoring sites for tracking microplastic contamination in freshwater environments.

2023 PubMed 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic pollution in Chinese Rivers: A detailed analysis of distribution, risk factors, and ecological impact

Researchers aggregated data from 2,474 microplastic samples across 165 publications to assess ecological risk in Chinese rivers, finding widespread contamination with average abundance varying substantially by watershed characteristics. A revised risk assessment accounting for particle morphology and polymer toxicity raised concern levels beyond previous estimates.

2025 Marine Pollution Bulletin 3 citations
Article Tier 2

[Microplastic Characteristics and Risk Assessment in Multigate Dam-type River].

Researchers assessed microplastic abundance, composition, and ecological risk in surface water and sediments across ten dams on the Shaying River, China, finding that dam construction complicates microplastic distribution patterns and increases retention of particles in reservoir environments.

2024 PubMed
Article Tier 2

Spatiotemporal variation in microplastic contamination along a subtropical reservoir shoreline

Researchers tracked microplastic contamination along the shoreline of a subtropical reservoir over two years and found that microplastic abundance was higher near urban areas and varied with season, with storm-related inputs creating significant temporal spikes.

2020 Environmental Science and Pollution Research 67 citations
Article Tier 2

Occurrence and identification of microplastics in tap water from China

Researchers analyzed 38 tap water samples from cities across China and found microplastics in all of them, with concentrations averaging around 440 particles per liter. Most particles were smaller than 50 micrometers, and the dominant types were polyethylene and polypropylene fragments. The findings highlight that drinking water treatment plants face a significant challenge in addressing microplastic contamination in the water supply.

2020 Chemosphere 416 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in inland freshwater environments with different regional functions: A case study on the Chengdu Plain

Researchers surveyed microplastic pollution in the Minjiang River as it flows through the Chengdu Plain in China, examining abundance, composition, shape, and size in both water and sediments. The study found serious microplastic contamination in urban sections of the river, with differences linked to regional functions such as industrial, agricultural, and residential land use patterns.

2021 The Science of The Total Environment 64 citations
Article Tier 2

Seasonal variation and risk assessment of microplastics in surface water of the Manas River Basin, China

Researchers investigated seasonal variations in microplastic pollution across the Manas River Basin in China, sampling surface water during different seasons. They found that microplastic abundance varied significantly by season and location, with higher concentrations linked to agricultural runoff and urban discharge. The study provides a risk assessment framework for understanding how seasonal factors influence microplastic contamination in inland freshwater systems.

2020 Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 246 citations
Article Tier 2

[Effects of Flow Concentration on Water Microplastic Pollution in the Luoshijiang Sub-watershed of Erhai Lake Basin].

Researchers studied how variations in river flow concentration affect microplastic transport and distribution in the Luoshijian River, China, finding that higher flow events resuspend and redistribute MPs stored in sediments, increasing waterborne concentrations and downstream transport.

2025 PubMed
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