Papers

61,005 results
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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

Seasonal influence on pollution index and risk of multiple compositions of microplastics in an urban river

A seasonal study of microplastics in an urban river in China found higher abundance in the dry season (183 items per square meter) compared to the wet season (102 items per square meter). Risk assessment indicated that fibers and small fragments posed the greatest ecological risk, with polymer-specific hazard quotients varying by season.

2022 The Science of The Total Environment 47 citations
Article Tier 2

Distribution and characteristics of microplastics in an urban river: The response to urban waste management

Microplastics were detected throughout surface water and sediments of an urban Chinese river (Nanming River) in both dry and wet seasons, with 25 different polymer types identified and the highest concentrations near sewage discharge points and plastic waste dump sites. The study shows that urban river management practices — particularly wastewater handling — are critical in controlling how much plastic reaches downstream ecosystems.

2023 The Science of The Total Environment 10 citations
Article Tier 2

Spatio-temporal distribution of microplastics in surface water of typical urban rivers in North China, risk assessment and influencing factors

Researchers measured microplastic levels in two urban rivers in North China across wet and dry seasons and found that concentrations generally increased from upstream to downstream. The most common plastics were polyethylene and polypropylene fibers, with natural factors dominating upstream and human activities driving pollution downstream. The study provides a reference for understanding how urbanization contributes to microplastic contamination in river systems.

2025 Journal of Contaminant Hydrology 2 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

Spatial distribution and vertical characteristics of microplastics in the urban river: The case of Qinhuai River in Nanjing, China

Researchers investigated the spatial distribution and vertical characteristics of microplastics in the Qinhuai River in Nanjing, China. The study found an average concentration of about 668 microplastic items per liter, with abundance patterns varying between surface and deep water at different points along the river, and identified correlations between microplastic presence and shifts in microbial community structure.

2024 Marine Pollution Bulletin 16 citations
Article Tier 2

Spatial–Temporal and Risk Assessment of Microplastics in the Surface Water of the Qinhuai River during Different Rainfall Seasons in Nanjing City, China

Researchers conducted a spatial-temporal analysis of microplastic contamination and risk in a river system across multiple seasons and sites, finding that concentrations varied significantly with location and time of year. Urban and industrial zones showed the highest microplastic loads and associated ecological risk.

2024 Water 7 citations
Article Tier 2

Distribution characteristics of microplastics in urban rivers in Chengdu city: The influence of land-use type and population and related suggestions

Researchers surveyed microplastic concentrations in urban rivers of Chengdu, China, finding MP abundances of 20-763 items per liter in water and linking higher concentrations to dense residential areas and industrial land use. Polyethylene and polypropylene fibers dominated the MP assemblage, consistent with textile laundering and household waste as primary sources.

2022 The Science of The Total Environment 53 citations
Article Tier 2

Spatial–Temporal Distribution and Ecological Risk Assessment of Microplastics in the Shiwuli River

Researchers mapped the spatial and temporal distribution of microplastics in water and sediment of the Shiwuli River, an urban river in Hefei, China, across flood and non-flood seasons. Microplastic concentrations were higher during flood season and at downstream sites influenced by urban runoff and wastewater. Ecological risk assessment indicated moderate to high polymer-related risks, pointing to urban rivers as significant sources of microplastic pollution that require targeted management.

2023 Water 13 citations
Article Tier 2

Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in an urban river: A case study in the Pearl River along Guangzhou City, China

Microplastics were measured in surface water and sediments at 14 sites along the urban Pearl River in Guangzhou, finding 379–7,924 items/m³ in water and 80–9,597 items/kg in sediment with polyethylene and polypropylene as dominant types, and a significant relationship between population density and microplastic abundance. The study documents extremely high microplastic contamination in an urban Chinese river and quantifies the influence of urbanization on microplastic loading.

2018 The Science of The Total Environment 545 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

[Composition and Distribution of Microplastics in the Water and Sediments of Urban Rivers in Beijing].

Researchers measured microplastic concentrations in water and sediments from eight sampling points along urban rivers in Beijing. Microplastics were widespread, with fibers being the most common type, likely from laundry and textile sources. Urban rivers are important conduits that transport microplastics from cities into larger water bodies and ultimately the ocean.

2021 PubMed 1 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

Research Progress of Microplastic Pollution Status and Risk Assessment of Typical Rivers in China

Rivers across China carry substantial microplastic loads, and this review finds that abundance is closely tied to population density, with urban rivers showing higher concentrations than rural ones. More than 60% of microplastics detected in most rivers were smaller than 1 mm — the size range most readily ingested by aquatic organisms and most difficult to remove by conventional treatment. The authors identify sewage plants, surface runoff, and atmospheric deposition as the main sources, and flag gaps in current risk assessment frameworks for river microplastics.

2024 Journal of Physics Conference Series 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Pollution characteristics and source analysis of microplastics in the Qiantang River in southeastern China

Researchers found that microplastic abundance in the Qiantang River near Hangzhou, China, ranged from 1.5 to 9.4 items per liter, with higher levels during dry periods and concentrations correlated with local GDP and industrial manufacturing activity.

2022 Chemosphere 111 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic reorganization in urban river before and after rainfall

Researchers monitored microplastic abundance, stability, and pollution risk in the Qing River in Beijing before and after rainfall events. Rainfall diluted microplastic concentrations by increasing flow velocity and opening barrages, but altered the size distribution by preferentially transporting smaller particles, shifting the composition of the remaining microplastics.

2022 Environmental Pollution 63 citations
Article Tier 2

Characteristics, drivers and ecological risk assessment of microplastics in the surface water of urban rivers in Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area cities - A case study of Dongguan city

Researchers investigated microplastic characteristics and ecological risks in surface water of three urban rivers in Dongguan City within the Greater Bay Area of southern China. They found that average microplastic abundance during the wet season was 4.7 times higher than the dry season, with industrial activity along riverbanks driving the differences in contamination. Risk assessments indicated medium-high to high ecological risk classifications for the rivers studied.

2024 Environmental Pollution 18 citations
Article Tier 2

Distribution Patterns of Microplastics Pollution in Urban Fresh Waters: A Case Study of Rivers in Chengdu, China

Researchers surveyed microplastic pollution in urban rivers of Chengdu, China, finding concentrations of 5 to 10.5 items per liter, predominantly transparent fragments and fibers, with spatial distribution influenced by urbanization and wastewater discharge.

2022 International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 26 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics profile in a typical urban river in Beijing

Researchers profiled microplastic pollution along the Qing River, a typical urban river in Beijing receiving effluent from four wastewater treatment plants, investigating how discharged microplastics distribute and transform as they move through an urban riverine system.

2020 The Science of The Total Environment 90 citations
Article Tier 2

Spatial variability of microplastic pollution on surface of rivers in a mountain-plain transitional area: A case study in the Chin Ling-Wei River Plain, China

Researchers measured microplastic pollution in surface waters from mountain tributaries to the main stream in the Chin Ling-Wei River Plain in China. They found concentrations ranging from 2.3 to 21 items per liter, with higher levels in the main stream compared to tributaries, and 82% of particles being fragments and films. The study suggests that as rivers flow from mountains to more developed plains, microplastic pollution risk increases sharply due to more diverse land use and human activity.

2022 Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 59 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic pollution in sophisticated urban river systems: Combined influence of land-use types and physicochemical characteristics

This study assessed microplastic pollution across an urban river network in China, finding that land-use type and water physicochemical properties jointly influence microplastic distribution, with industrial and residential areas contributing highest loads.

2021 Environmental Pollution 50 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic Occurrence Characteristics and Ecological Risk Assessment of Urban River in Cold Regions during Ice-Covered Periods

Researchers characterized microplastic occurrence in urban runoff across multiple Chinese cities, measuring concentrations, polymer types, and size distributions, and assessed associated ecological risk using hazard quotient approaches. Polystyrene and polyethylene dominated the samples, and ecological risk was highest in storm drains receiving inputs from dense commercial and industrial districts.

2024 Sustainability 6 citations
Article Tier 2

Seasonal and spatial variation, and land-use influences on riverine microplastics and their ecological risks in the Yanshui River Basin

Researchers conducted year-round, basin-wide monitoring of microplastics in the Yanshui River Basin across 14 sites spanning agricultural, industrial, and urban land uses, finding average concentrations of 235.1 items/L in surface water and 20,370 items/kg in sediment. Microplastic abundance peaked at upstream agricultural and downstream drainage sites, with sediment functioning as a major accumulation sink.

2025 Journal of environmental chemical engineering
Article Tier 2

Dynamics of microplastics in urban rivers under varying hydrological regimes

Monitoring of urban rivers showed that microplastic concentrations fluctuate significantly with varying hydrological conditions such as storm events and seasonal flow changes. Understanding these dynamics is essential for accurately characterizing the river microplastic load and its variability over time.

2025 Journal of Hazardous Materials 1 citations