Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Microplastic contamination and risk assessment in the biotic and abiotic components of freshwater Manasbal Lake, western Himalaya, India

Researchers assessed microplastic abundance and characteristics across abiotic and biotic compartments of Manasbal Lake in the western Himalayas, finding that MPs are pervasive even in remote mountain catchments and presenting risk assessment data for this understudied high-altitude freshwater ecosystem.

2025 Figshare
Article Tier 2

Microplastic contamination and risk assessment in the biotic and abiotic components of freshwater Manasbal Lake, western Himalaya, India

Researchers assessed microplastic abundance and characteristics across abiotic and biotic compartments of Manasbal Lake in the western Himalayas, finding that MPs are pervasive even in remote mountain catchments and presenting risk assessment data for this understudied high-altitude freshwater ecosystem.

2025 Figshare
Article Tier 2

Additional file 1 of Microplastic contamination and risk assessment in the biotic and abiotic components of freshwater Manasbal Lake, western Himalaya, India

Researchers provided supplementary material supporting an assessment of microplastic contamination and ecological risk in both biotic and abiotic components of freshwater Manasbal Lake in the western Himalaya, India.

2025 Figshare
Article Tier 2

Additional file 1 of Microplastic contamination and risk assessment in the biotic and abiotic components of freshwater Manasbal Lake, western Himalaya, India

Researchers provided supplementary material supporting an assessment of microplastic contamination and ecological risk in both biotic and abiotic components of freshwater Manasbal Lake in the western Himalaya, India.

2025 Figshare
Article Tier 2

Spatial distribution and characteristics of microplastics and associated contaminants from mid-altitude lake in NW Himalaya

Researchers documented microplastic contamination and associated phthalate esters in Rewalsar Lake in the Northwest Himalayas, demonstrating that even remote mid-altitude freshwater lakes are significantly affected by microplastic pollution.

2023 Chemosphere 41 citations
Article Tier 2

Distribution and characteristics of microplastics and phthalate esters from a freshwater lake system in Lesser Himalayas

Researchers surveyed a freshwater lake system in the Indian Himalayas and found microplastics in all water and sediment samples, with concentrations highest near areas of human activity. They also detected phthalate esters, chemical additives commonly found in plastics, at levels that correlated with microplastic abundance. The study provides the first evidence of significant microplastic and associated chemical contamination in this relatively remote Himalayan freshwater ecosystem.

2021 Chemosphere 128 citations
Article Tier 2

First insights into plastic and microplastic occurrence in biotic and abiotic compartments, and snow from a high-mountain lake (Carnic Alps)

This study provided first data on plastic and microplastic occurrence in both biotic and abiotic samples from high-mountain lakes on the Tibetan Plateau, one of the most remote freshwater ecosystems on Earth. Plastics larger than 5 mm and microplastics were found in lake water and biota, demonstrating that even pristine high-altitude freshwater systems are not free from plastic contamination.

2020 Chemosphere 132 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic assessment in remote and high mountain lakes of Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan

Researchers assessed microplastic contamination in eight remote, high-altitude lakes in the mountains of northern Pakistan, finding plastic particles in both water and sediment at all locations. Despite the lakes being far from major population centers, microplastics were present at measurable levels, likely transported by wind and water from lower elevations. The contamination of these pristine mountain lakes is concerning because they serve as water sources for local communities.

2024 Chemosphere 11 citations
Article Tier 2

Quantifying Microplastics Abundance and Their Implications as Vectors for Heavy Metal Adsorption in Freshwater Aquatic System of Kashmir Himalaya

Researchers measured microplastic abundance in both water and sediment of Manasbal Lake in the Kashmir Himalaya and examined how the particles interact with heavy metals. Microplastics were found throughout the lake and showed capacity to adsorb heavy metals, raising dual concerns about plastic particles and metal contamination in a sensitive Himalayan freshwater system.

2023
Article Tier 2

Identification, characterization, and quantification of microplastics in water and sediments of high-altitude Himalayan Dal Lake

Scientists found tiny plastic particles called microplastics in both the water and bottom sediments of Dal Lake, a high-altitude lake in the Himalayas. This discovery is concerning because it shows plastic pollution has reached even remote mountain areas, and these microscopic plastic pieces can enter our food chain through fish and drinking water. The findings suggest that microplastic contamination is more widespread than previously thought, potentially affecting water sources that communities depend on for drinking and fishing.

2026 Environmental Research Water
Article Tier 2

Microplastic and heavy metal contamination in sediments of the high-altitude Nundkol Lake of northwestern Himalayas-Kashmir

Researchers found both heavy metals and microplastics in the sediment of a remote high-altitude glacial lake in the Himalayas, with microplastic levels averaging 76 particles per kilogram of dry sediment — predominantly plastic fibers from nylon. The contamination is likely linked to tourism, trekking, and fishing activities in what was once considered a pristine wilderness area.

2024 Environmental Pollution and Management 9 citations
Article Tier 2

Co-occurrence of microplastics and heavy metals in a freshwater lake system in Indian Himalaya: Distribution and influencing factors

Researchers found widespread microplastic contamination in both the water and sediments of Manasbal Lake in the Indian Himalayas, with concentrations up to 4,020 particles per kilogram of sediment. Domestic sewage was identified as the primary source, and the microplastics were found alongside elevated levels of heavy metals like lead. This co-contamination is concerning because microplastics can absorb and transport heavy metals, potentially increasing toxic exposure for communities that depend on the lake.

2024 Emerging contaminants 40 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in the high-altitude Himalayas: Assessment of microplastic contamination in freshwater lake sediments, Northwest Himalaya (India)

Researchers assessed microplastic contamination in sediments of freshwater Anchar Lake in the Kashmir Himalayas, finding an average of 606 particles per kilogram dominated by polyamide fibers, with domestic wastewater and textile sources identified as primary contributors.

2021 Chemosphere 166 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic contamination in environmental matrices of multi-basin Dal Lake, Kashmir

Researchers investigated microplastic contamination across water, sediment, and fish in Dal Lake, Kashmir, and found that sediments contained far higher concentrations than water or fish tissue. Polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene were the most common plastic types identified, with finer sediment particles trapping more microplastics. Ecological risk assessments indicated moderate pollution levels, raising concerns about this popular freshwater ecosystem.

2025 The Science of The Total Environment 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic pollution in Himalayan lakes: assessment, risks, and sustainable remediation strategies

This review examines microplastic contamination in ecologically sensitive Himalayan lakes, where pollution enters through tourism, glacier melt, and atmospheric deposition. Researchers found that these remote high-altitude ecosystems face growing contamination but are severely understudied due to harsh conditions and logistical challenges. The study evaluates remediation strategies including nanotechnology-based solutions and highlights the need for more research on microplastic behavior in these isolated freshwater systems.

2025 Beilstein Journal of Nanotechnology 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic pollution in high-altitude Nainital lake, Uttarakhand, India

This is the first study to document microplastic contamination in Nainital Lake, a high-altitude lake in the Indian Himalayas that serves as the main drinking water source for the local town. Researchers found microplastics in every sample, with concentrations up to 56 particles per liter in lake water. Tourist activities and runoff were identified as the main pollution sources, raising concerns about drinking water safety for the local population.

2024 Environmental Pollution 33 citations
Article Tier 2

Potential ecological risk of microplastics contamination to environment in protect area lakes

Researchers studied microplastic contamination in protected area lakes on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and found that even these remote, supposedly pristine environments contain microplastics. The study compared protected lakes with those outside protected areas and found contamination levels varied by region and economic development. This shows that microplastic pollution reaches even the most isolated freshwater sources, which could affect drinking water quality for surrounding communities.

2024 Journal of Hazardous Materials 10 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic contamination in the pristine waters of Tilicho Lake, Nepal: A groundbreaking study in the high-altitude himalayas

Researchers conducted a first-of-its-kind study documenting microplastic contamination in Tilicho Lake, Nepal, one of the world's highest-altitude freshwater lakes, highlighting the penetration of plastic pollution into remote alpine environments.

2025 iScience
Article Tier 2

Distribution and potential sources of microplastics in sediments in remote lakes of Tibet, China

Researchers assessed microplastic contamination in sediments from 12 remote lakes on the Tibetan Plateau in China, an area with minimal human activity. Despite the isolation, they found between 17 and 2,644 microplastic particles per kilogram of dried sediment, levels considered high compared to some other freshwater systems. The findings suggest that long-range atmospheric transport and limited local sources like tourism contribute to microplastic pollution even in some of Earth's most remote environments.

2021 The Science of The Total Environment 108 citations
Article Tier 2

Pollution status of microplastics in the sediments of warm monomictic Dal lake, India: Abundance, composition, and risk assessment

Researchers conducted the first investigation of microplastic contamination in the sediments of Dal Lake in Jammu and Kashmir, India. They found concentrations ranging from 503 to over 3,000 particles per kilogram, with the highest levels occurring in spring, and identified multiple polymer types with polyester and polyethylene being most common. The study establishes baseline pollution data for this ecologically important lake and highlights the seasonal patterns of microplastic accumulation.

2024 Environmental Pollution 8 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in biotic and abiotic compartments of high-mountain lakes from Alps

Researchers surveyed microplastic pollution in two remote high-altitude lakes in the Italian Alps, finding plastic particles in lake sediments, tadpoles, and fish (but not in open water or zooplankton), with younger fish accumulating more microplastics than older ones — suggesting fish as useful pollution indicators even in pristine mountain environments.

2023 Ecological Indicators 49 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic convergence in high-altitude lakes of the Tibetan Plateau: Mechanisms, indicators, and risk stratification

Researchers assessed microplastic pollution in 14 high-altitude freshwater lakes above 4,500 meters on the Tibetan Plateau, a region far from major human activity. Microplastics were detected at every site, with PET as the dominant polymer type, suggesting long-range atmospheric transport and local textile sources. The study developed a geospatial risk model showing that precipitation, surface runoff, and proximity to roads are key factors driving microplastic accumulation even in these remote environments.

2026 Journal of Hazardous Materials
Article Tier 2

Impact of land use land cover on microplastic accumulation in high-altitude freshwater lakes of the central Himalayas

Researchers investigated the spatial distribution of microplastics in the surface water of three high-altitude lakes in the Kumaun region of the central Himalayas — Nainital, Garudtal, and Bhimtal — and examined the influence of land use and land cover (LULC) at the catchment scale on microplastic accumulation. The study found that lakes with greater proportions of built-up and agricultural land in their catchments had higher microplastic concentrations, demonstrating that LULC is a key driver of microplastic loading in remote mountain lakes.

2025 Scientific Reports
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in a remote lake basin of the Tibetan Plateau: Impacts of atmospheric transport and glacial melting

Researchers investigated microplastic contamination in a remote Tibetan Plateau lake basin, finding that both atmospheric transport via rainfall and glacial melting contribute microplastics to this pristine environment, with concentrations increasing in glacial meltwater areas.

2022 112 citations