Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Characterizing microplastics in urban runoff: A multi-land use assessment with a focus on 1–125 μm size particles

Researchers collected stormwater runoff from three different urban land use types and found microplastics present across all sites, with significant variation in polymer types depending on the area. By using multiple detection techniques, they were able to identify particles as small as 1 micrometer, revealing that the smallest size fractions dominated the total count. The study emphasizes that urban runoff is a major pathway for microplastic pollution reaching waterways.

2023 The Science of The Total Environment 18 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic emission characteristics of stormwater runoff in an urban area: Intra-event variability and influencing factors

Researchers found that stormwater runoff from both industrial and residential urban catchments contained substantial microplastics (54–639 particles per liter), with polypropylene and polyethylene dominating, and that microplastic concentrations peaked early in rain events following longer dry periods.

2023 7 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic emission characteristics of stormwater runoff in an urban area: Intra-event variability and influencing factors

Researchers investigated microplastic emission characteristics in urban stormwater runoff from industrial and residential catchments. Microplastics were detected in concentrations of 54 to 639 particles per liter, with polypropylene and polyethylene being the dominant polymers and fragments the most common shape, and concentrations were higher after longer dry periods.

2023 The Science of The Total Environment 109 citations
Article Tier 2

Estimated discharge of microplastics via urban stormwater during individual rain events

Researchers collected stormwater samples from 15 locations during rain events to assess microplastic discharge through urban runoff. The study found highly variable microplastic concentrations influenced by catchment characteristics, and provided estimates of the quantity of microplastics released to receiving waters during rain events, highlighting urban stormwater as an important pathway for microplastic pollution.

2023 Frontiers in Environmental Science 62 citations
Article Tier 2

Stormwater microplastic polymer types, particle sizes, and impact of techniques

Researchers characterised microplastic size distribution, morphology, and polymer profiles in urban stormwater runoff across multiple storm events and assessed how different subsampling techniques affect estimated microplastic concentrations and polymer diversity. The study found that subsampling methodology significantly influences results, highlighting the need for standardised approaches to accurately quantify stormwater as a microplastic pathway into aquatic ecosystems.

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

Land use-based characterization and source apportionment of microplastics in urban storm runoffs in a tropical region

Urban stormwater runoff in a tropical monsoon region contained 4.7 particles/L and 3.8 mg/L microplastics on average, with concentrations following land use order of industrial > transportation > commercial > residential, and approximately 85% of sources identifiable by morphology and polymer type.

2023 Environmental Pollution 16 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic Pollution in Stormwater: Preliminary Findings from the Oregon Coast

Researchers collected stormwater samples and analyzed them for microplastic content, providing preliminary findings on particle abundance, types, and size distributions in urban stormwater runoff. The results confirm stormwater as a significant pathway for microplastics from land surfaces into receiving water bodies.

2024
Article Tier 2

Stormwater microplastic polymer types, particle sizes, and impact of techniques

Researchers characterized microplastic size distribution, morphology, polymer composition, and loading in urban stormwater runoff across two sampling campaigns using different standardized methods (NOAA and ASTM protocols) with FTIR and FTIR-microscopy analysis. They found MP concentrations of 86 particles/L in the 63-250 µm size range and assessed how subsampling strategies affect estimated concentrations and polymer diversity in environmental samples.

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

Urban stormwater microplastic size distribution and impact of subsampling on polymer diversity

Researchers examined how subsampling affects the characterization of microplastics in urban stormwater, finding that small subsamples can underestimate polymer diversity and that fibrous microplastics dominated across urban and suburban sites.

2023 Environmental Science Processes & Impacts 13 citations
Article Tier 2

Urban Stormwater Runoff: A Major Pathway for Anthropogenic Particles, Black Rubbery Fragments, and Other Types of Microplastics to Urban Receiving Waters

Researchers quantified microplastics in urban stormwater runoff from 12 watersheds surrounding San Francisco Bay and found concentrations ranging from 1.1 to 24.6 particles per liter, much higher than typical wastewater treatment plant effluent. The study suggests that stormwater runoff is a major and underappreciated pathway for microplastics and other anthropogenic particles to enter urban waterways.

2021 ACS ES&T Water 312 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic Presence, Aging, and Potential Sources in Urban Runoff in a Large Piedmont Metropolitan Area: Polymer-Type-Specific Analysis

Scientists found over 20,000 tiny plastic particles in rainwater runoff from a large metropolitan area, with the plastics coming from both local sources like degraded items on the ground and particles falling from the atmosphere. These microplastics can end up in our water supply and food chain, potentially affecting human health. The study helps identify where these harmful plastic particles come from in big cities, which is important for finding ways to reduce our exposure to them.

2026 Environmental Science & Technology
Article Tier 2

Inter-storm variation in microplastic concentration and polymer type at stormwater outfalls and a bioretention basin

Microplastic concentrations, polymer types, and inter-storm variability were measured at two stormwater outfalls and a bioretention basin, finding that polymer fingerprints reflected local catchment materials and that concentrations varied substantially between storm events.

2021 The Science of The Total Environment 52 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic pollution in sediments of urban rainwater drainage system

Researchers found microplastics in all sediment samples from a university campus rainwater drainage system, with abundances ranging from 80 to 2,610 particles/kg and the highest concentrations in student living areas, suggesting that land use patterns and management practices influence microplastic accumulation in urban stormwater infrastructure.

2023 The Science of The Total Environment 13 citations
Article Tier 2

Underestimated land-to-sea microplastic emissions: The crucial role of rainfall events

Researchers investigated the emission characteristics and loads of microplastics transported into Masan Bay via the Samhocheon stream during a rainfall event using time-weighted sampling, finding microplastic abundances ranging from 4.60 to 118 particles per liter with an event mean concentration of 29.87 particles per liter. They found that microplastic concentrations peaked during early runoff and varied with rainfall intensity, with polypropylene and polyethylene accounting for approximately 60% of detected polymers.

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

Microplastics and Tire Wear Particles in Urban Stormwater: Abundance, Characteristics, and Potential Mitigation Strategies

Researchers measured microplastic concentrations in urban stormwater and found levels ranging from about 4 to 59 particles per liter, with tire wear particles making up roughly 95% of all particles detected. Microlitter capture devices reduced microplastic loads by 35 to 88%, and constructed wetlands provided additional removal. The study suggests that targeted stormwater treatment infrastructure could meaningfully reduce the flow of microplastics into rivers and coastal waters.

2023 Environmental Science & Technology 72 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in urban runoff: Global occurrence and fate

This review examines global microplastic occurrence in urban runoff, finding concentrations up to 8,580 particles per liter, and highlights critical gaps in understanding microplastic mobilization, transport, and flux from urban environments to waterways.

2022 Water Research 187 citations
Article Tier 2

Change in microplastic concentration during various temporal events downstream of a combined sewage overflow and in an urban stormwater creek

Researchers examined how microplastic concentrations in urban waterways changed during rain events, snowmelt, and combined sewage overflow episodes, finding that stormwater runoff and sewer overflows substantially increase microplastic loads, with event type and intensity influencing concentration patterns.

2022 Frontiers in Water 20 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics and microfibers in urban runoff from a suburban catchment of Greater Paris

Researchers collected stormwater runoff samples from a suburban catchment in Greater Paris across multiple rain events and found significant concentrations of microplastics and microfibers, with concentrations varying substantially between events and correlating with rainfall intensity and catchment dry-weather duration.

2021 Environmental Pollution 120 citations
Article Tier 2

Land Use Pattern Affects Microplastic Concentrations in Stormwater Drains in Urban Catchments in Perth, Western Australia

Researchers measured microplastic concentrations in stormwater drains across six Perth and Peel catchments with contrasting land uses, finding mean concentrations of 14.2 microplastics per liter with fibrous forms dominant, and demonstrating that catchment land use pattern significantly influences microplastic loading to stormwater systems that transport particles from terrestrial to coastal environments.

2022 Land 15 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in urban stormwater sediments and runoff: An essential component in the microplastic cycle

This review systematically analyzed microplastic contamination in urban stormwater runoff and sediments, finding concentrations that varied enormously across global studies. Researchers found that stormwater is a major but underappreciated pathway for delivering microplastics to rivers, lakes, and oceans. The study highlights that better stormwater management practices are needed to reduce this significant source of aquatic microplastic pollution.

2024 TrAC Trends in Analytical Chemistry 29 citations
Article Tier 2

Qualitative and quantitative analysis of microplastics in runoff sediments and their correlation with land use and occupation in an urban area in the city of Bauru-SP

Researchers analysed the qualitative and quantitative distribution of microplastics in urban runoff sediments across different land use categories in Bauru, Sao Paulo, Brazil, including social housing, traditional residential, high-income residential, commercial, and industrial zones. Results indicated that microplastic abundance in transported sediments correlated with land use intensity, with more densely populated and active areas generating higher microplastic loads entering urban drainage networks.

2025 LA Referencia (Red Federada de Repositorios Institucionales de Publicaciones Científicas)
Article Tier 2

Analysis of Micropollutants in Urban Water Run-off

This study investigates the quality of urban stormwater runoff, focusing on concentrations of micropollutants including heavy metals and microplastics. The research evaluates how runoff from urban surfaces contaminates both groundwater and surface water, and assesses current stormwater management strategies in cities.

2023 International Multidisciplinary Scientific GeoConference SGEM ...
Article Tier 2

Microplastic pollution in urban stormwater inlet sediments influenced by land use type of runoff drainage area

Researchers analyzed microplastic contamination in urban stormwater inlet sediments across different land use types in Ma'anshan City, China. They found microplastics present in all locations, with sediments near main roads showing the highest contamination at over 1,100 items per kilogram, roughly double that of other land use types. The study reveals that polypropylene was the dominant polymer across all areas, and that the characteristics of microplastic pollution vary systematically with surrounding land use patterns.

2024 The Science of The Total Environment 10 citations
Article Tier 2

Abundance, composition and fluxes of plastic debris and other macrolitter in urban runoff in a suburban catchment of Greater Paris

Researchers quantified plastic debris composition and fluxes in stormwater runoff from a suburban Paris catchment, finding plastics comprised over 60% of macrolitter and estimating that separate sewer systems in the greater Paris area discharge 8–33 tons of plastic debris into the environment annually, establishing urban stormwater as a significant but poorly studied pathway for plastic pollution.

2021 Water Research 57 citations