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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Microplastics Across Interconnected Aquatic Matrices: A Comparative Study of Marine, Riverine, and Wastewater Matrices in Northern Greece
ClearMicroplastics Across Interconnected Aquatic Matrices: A Comparative Study of Marine, Riverine, and Wastewater Matrices in Northern Greece
Scientists studied tiny plastic particles (microplastics) in seawater, rivers, and wastewater treatment plants in Northern Greece to understand how much plastic pollution exists in the region's water systems. They developed a reliable method to measure these microscopic plastic pieces and established baseline pollution levels that can help authorities create better strategies to reduce plastic contamination. This matters because microplastics can enter our drinking water and food chain, and understanding where they're most concentrated helps protect both environmental and human health.
Microplastics Across Interconnected Aquatic Matrices: A Comparative Study of Marine, Riverine, and Wastewater Matrices in Northern Greece
This study provided the first comprehensive evaluation of microplastics across three interconnected aquatic matrices—seawater, river water, and wastewater—in northern Greece. MP concentrations were highest in wastewater and decreased downstream, with fibres dominating all matrices, confirming wastewater as a primary MP source to receiving waters.
Comparative Distribution of Microplastics in Different Inland Aquatic Ecosystems
Researchers surveyed microplastic pollution in seven Greek inland water bodies differing in morphology and human impact, finding microplastics (predominantly fibers) in all samples with abundances from 0.60 particles/m³, highlighting contamination even in less impacted freshwater systems.
Rivers and Wastewater-Treatment Plants as Microplastic Pathways to Eastern Mediterranean Waters: First Records for the Aegean Sea, Greece
Researchers provided the first records of microplastic amounts and types in rivers and wastewater effluents entering the Aegean Sea in Greece, finding microplastics in both an urban river and a semi-urban river with a wastewater treatment plant discharge point.
Comparative Distribution of Microplastics in Different Inland Aquatic Ecosystems
Researchers sampled seven Greek inland aquatic ecosystems of varying types and found microplastics in all locations, with fibers dominating (0.47–149.4 items/m³) and higher concentrations in vertical than surface samples, indicating that morphology, trophic status, and anthropogenic pressure influence distribution.
Microplastic contamination, an emerging threat to the freshwater environment: a systematic review
Researchers systematically reviewed the spread of microplastics in freshwater ecosystems — rivers, lakes, and streams — documenting their sources, how they move through water, the damage they cause to aquatic organisms, and the methods used to detect them. Their review serves as a baseline reference for future research and calls for improved waste management to protect freshwater environments from ongoing microplastic contamination.
Exploring microplastic pollution in a Mediterranean river: The role of introduced species as bioindicators
Researchers used a non-native fish species in a Greek urban river to monitor microplastic pollution and found that about one-third of the fish had ingested microplastics, mostly polyethylene and polypropylene from packaging. The moderate contamination levels reflected the urban environment surrounding the river, with road runoff as a likely source. The study demonstrates that introduced fish species can serve as practical indicators of microplastic pollution in freshwater systems.
Assessing the state of plastic pollution in Dutch river systems
Scientists created a new way to measure plastic pollution in rivers by tracking both tiny pieces (microplastics) and larger plastic debris across different parts of river systems. When they tested this method on rivers in the Netherlands, they found that plastic pollution levels vary dramatically between different waterways and change over time. This research is important because rivers carry plastic pollution from land to the ocean, and understanding where and how much plastic is in our waterways can help protect both water quality and human health.
Microplastics in water: occurrence, detection, and impacts – a comprehensive review of multiple studies
This comprehensive review synthesized current knowledge on microplastic occurrence, detection methods, and impacts across marine, freshwater, and remote aquatic ecosystems. Researchers highlighted that microplastic concentrations are particularly high in urban rivers, transported through runoff, atmospheric deposition, and river input. The review identifies critical research gaps including the need for standardized detection methods and more studies on chronic human exposure through contaminated seafood and drinking water.
Knowledge about Microplastic in Mediterranean Tributary River Ecosystems: Lack of Data and Research Needs on Such a Crucial Marine Pollution Source
This review surveys the limited literature on microplastic pollution in freshwater rivers feeding the Mediterranean Sea, finding major gaps in data and inconsistent methods. The authors call for standardized monitoring protocols to better understand how rivers transport microplastics from land to the ocean.
Size- and Polymer-Specific Assessment of Micro- and Nanoplastics in a European Wastewater Treatment System
Scientists studied tiny plastic particles in European wastewater treatment plants and found that these facilities can remove most microplastics from sewage, but many still escape into the environment. Even though the treatment plants filter out a lot of plastic pollution, the enormous amount of wastewater they process means millions of plastic particles still end up in rivers and oceans every day. This matters because these plastic particles can eventually make their way into our drinking water and food chain, potentially affecting human health.
Microplastics en route: Field measurements in the Dutch river delta and Amsterdam canals, wastewater treatment plants, North Sea sediments and biota
Researchers measured microplastic concentrations across the full journey from wastewater treatment plants to rivers, canals, coastal sediments, and marine life in the Netherlands. They found that even after treatment, wastewater remains a significant source of microplastic pollution, with particles detected in river sediment, Amsterdam canal water, North Sea sediments, and marine organisms. The study highlights how microplastics travel through interconnected water systems, accumulating in sediments and entering food webs along the way.
Microplastic pollution in two remote rivers of Türkiye
Researchers documented microplastic pollution in two remote rivers of Turkey, finding that even waterways far from major urban centers contain significant microplastic contamination, highlighting the widespread reach of plastic pollution in freshwater ecosystems.
Microplastics in freshwater systems: A review on occurrence, environmental effects, and methods for microplastics detection
This review summarizes the current understanding of microplastic contamination in freshwater systems, from sources like wastewater treatment plants to their effects on aquatic life. Researchers note that microplastics can carry toxic chemicals and have been shown to cause intestinal damage and metabolic changes in fish. The paper highlights that freshwater microplastic pollution is a significant and growing concern that warrants more research attention.
Microplastics in Aquatic Ecosystems: A Critical Review of Sources, Transport Mechanisms and Ecotoxicological Risks
This review provides a broad overview of microplastic pollution in rivers, oceans, and other aquatic environments, covering where these particles come from, how they move through water systems, and the harm they can cause. Evidence indicates that microplastics accumulate toxins and disrupt growth, feeding, and reproduction in aquatic species, with potential consequences for human health through seafood and drinking water. The authors stress the need for better global monitoring, stronger waste management systems, and development of eco-friendly plastic alternatives.
Exploring the Ecotoxicological Effects and Mitigation Strategies for Microplastics Pollution in Aquatic Ecosystems
This study investigates the ecotoxicological effects of microplastic pollution on aquatic ecosystems, examining distribution patterns across rivers, lakes, estuaries, and coastal waters. Researchers combined field surveys with laboratory experiments to assess how microplastics behave in water, including their sedimentation, aggregation, and uptake by marine organisms. The study evaluates several mitigation strategies and emphasizes the need for comprehensive approaches to reduce microplastic contamination in aquatic environments.
Spatial and Seasonal Abundance of Microplastics in Sand and Aqueous Matrices from Coastal Areas of Northern Greece
Researchers collected and analyzed microplastics from wastewater effluents, beach sand, and seawater in Northern Greece over one year to capture seasonal variation. MP abundance varied seasonally, with higher concentrations in summer months likely linked to increased tourism and beach activity.
Micro/nanoplastics in aquatic ecosystems: Analytical challenges, ecological impacts, and mitigation strategies
This review provides a comprehensive assessment of micro- and nanoplastic pollution in aquatic ecosystems, covering detection methods, toxic effects across the food chain, and emerging cleanup strategies. Researchers highlight the limitations of current analytical techniques and the challenges of accurately measuring these tiny particles in water and living organisms. The study identifies key research priorities needed to better understand and mitigate the growing threat of plastic particle pollution in waterways.
Microplastics in the Aquatic Environment: Occurrence, Persistence, Analysis, and Human Exposure
This review synthesizes global research on microplastic occurrence in aquatic environments, from rivers and lakes to wastewater and seafood, and examines how these particles eventually reach humans. Researchers found that microplastics are now ubiquitous in freshwater and marine systems, with trophic transfer and biomagnification serving as key routes of human exposure. The study highlights the need for standardized sampling and analysis methods to enable better comparison across studies and more accurate risk assessment.
Microplastics in urban water systems, Tehran Metropolitan, Iran
Researchers investigated microplastic contamination across Tehran's urban water systems, including runoff, drinking water, groundwater, rivers, and wastewater effluent. They found microplastics present in all parts of the system, with residential and commercial runoff showing the highest concentrations. The study revealed that different land use types influenced the amount and characteristics of microplastic pollution, suggesting that urbanization patterns play a significant role in water contamination.
Evaluation of the Presence of Microplastics in Wastewater Treatment Plants: Development and Verification of Strategies for Their Quantification and Removal in Aqueous Streams
Researchers evaluated microplastic presence in wastewater treatment plants and developed a pilot capture system capable of detecting, quantifying, and removing microplastic particles from water. The study found that conventional treatment processes are insufficient for complete microplastic removal, highlighting the need for dedicated technologies to address this gap in water treatment infrastructure.
Microplasic measurements at the Danube river using a multi-level approach
Researchers measured microplastics in the Danube River using multiple sampling approaches at different scales, confirming that microplastics are present throughout the water column. Finer-scale analysis consistently revealed more particles than coarser methods. The findings support the use of multi-level sampling strategies to accurately assess microplastic contamination in major river systems.
Are research methods shaping our understanding of microplastic pollution? A literature review on the seawater and sediment bodies of the Mediterranean Sea
This systematic review examines microplastic research methods used to study pollution in the Mediterranean Sea. The researchers found that inconsistent methods across studies make it difficult to compare results and understand the true scale of contamination. Standardizing how we measure microplastics is essential for accurately assessing the risks these particles pose to marine ecosystems and the humans who depend on them.
Microplastic pollution in the German aquatic environment: Existence, interactions and research needs
This review examines microplastic pollution in German waterways and wastewater treatment plants, finding concentrations as high as 11,050 particles per liter in rivers. Fibers were the most common shape, and polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene were the dominant polymer types, mostly coming from municipal and industrial wastewater. The authors highlight that despite being Europe's largest economy, Germany has surprisingly limited research on this issue and call for standardized measurement methods.