Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Microplastic Pollution of Stream Water and Sediment in a Tributary of a Major Drinking Water Supplying River in Sri Lanka

Researchers monitored microplastic pollution in stream water and sediment of a tributary feeding a major drainage system, documenting spatial patterns of contamination and identifying land use practices as key predictors of microplastic abundance in this freshwater system.

2025 ACS ES&T Water 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Characterization of micro-plastics in water and sediments in Batticaloa lagoon at Kattankudy

Researchers characterized microplastics in water and sediments of Batticaloa Lagoon in Sri Lanka, near a municipal dumping site. The study found measurable microplastic concentrations, linking land-based plastic waste disposal directly to aquatic contamination in this coastal lagoon.

2023 Journal of Science
Article Tier 2

Microplastic Content in Non-Point Source And Point Sources of Colombo And Suburbs – Experimental Study on the Impact of Seasonal Variation

Researchers measured microplastic concentrations at point and non-point source locations in Colombo, Sri Lanka, across different seasons. Microplastics were found throughout the surface water network, with concentrations varying by season and location type. The study provides valuable baseline data for a poorly studied region and highlights urban water bodies as major microplastic sources.

2023 Proceedings of the sliit international conference on engineering and technology
Article Tier 2

Sampling and Analysis of Microplastics in the Coastal Environments of Sri Lanka: Estuaries of the Kelani River to Mahaoya

Microplastics were found in both beach sediments and coastal seawater along 42 kilometers of Sri Lanka's western coastline, with polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene being the most common types. The results document significant plastic contamination along the coast of a densely populated South Asian nation, raising concerns about exposure for coastal communities and marine life in the Indian Ocean region.

2024 Water 2 citations
Article Tier 2

The first report on the source-to-sink characterization of microplastic pollution from a riverine environment in tropical India

This first source-to-sink study of microplastic pollution in a tropical Indian river system tracked microplastics from urban sources through the river to estuarine and coastal deposition zones, characterizing polymer types and morphologies at each stage.

2020 The Science of The Total Environment 334 citations
Article Tier 2

Assessment, characterization, and quantification of microplastics from river sediments

Researchers assessed microplastic contamination in sediments from 14 sites along the Kaveri River in South India, characterizing particle types, sizes, and polymer compositions to quantify the extent of microplastic pollution in this freshwater system.

2022 Chemosphere 86 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in Weras Ganga, Bolgoda North Lake, Sri Lanka: A Reflection of Urban Waste Mismanagement

Researchers analyzed microplastic pollution in a river and lake system near an open waste dump in Sri Lanka and found microplastics present in all water and sediment samples. Over half of the particles were fibers, and smaller microplastics dominated near the dump site, with sediments acting as a major sink for contamination. The study highlights how inadequate waste management practices directly contribute to microplastic pollution in urban waterways.

2025 Results in Engineering 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Sampling and Analysis of Microplastics in the Coastal Environments of Sri Lanka: Estuaries of Kelani River to Mahaoya

Microplastic abundance and types were quantified in beach sediments and seawater across nine sites along 42 km of Sri Lanka's western coast, documenting widespread contamination in estuarine and coastal environments.

2024 Preprints.org 4 citations
Article Tier 2

Abundance and distribution of microplastics in Baturusa watershed of Bangka Belitung Islands Province

Scientists measured microplastic abundance and distribution in the Baturusa River watershed on Bangka Belitung Island, Indonesia, finding plastic particles at all sampling sites. Higher concentrations were found downstream and near populated areas, highlighting the role of human settlements in freshwater microplastic contamination.

2021 IOP Conference Series Earth and Environmental Science
Article Tier 2

Source-to-sink dynamics of microplastics and heavy metals along a land-use gradient in the tropical river system of India

Researchers tracked microplastics and heavy metals along a river system in southern India, finding widespread contamination in both water and sediment. Household waste was identified as a major source, with tiny plastic pellets and beads making up over 80% of the particles found. The study shows how urbanization and human activity drive microplastic pollution in freshwater systems that communities depend on for drinking and farming.

2025 Journal of Hazardous Materials Advances 5 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic Contamination: A Case Study in the Freshwater of Krishna River

Researchers found microplastic contamination in three sites along the Krishna River in India, identifying polypropylene, polyethylene, and polyoxymethylene particles at different pilgrimage locations. The study confirms freshwater microplastic pollution in this important Indian river and demonstrates a sampling approach applicable to future monitoring efforts.

2023 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Microplastic surge in the Ariyankuppam river, Puducherry, India: A study on abundance, characterization, and pollution load index

Researchers surveyed microplastic pollution in the Ariyankuppam River in southern India over three months during the post-monsoon period. They found an average of over 136 microplastic particles per kilogram of sediment, with concentrations varying by location and season. The study reveals significant microplastic contamination in a river that flows into the Bay of Bengal, raising concerns about downstream marine pollution.

2025 Journal of Contaminant Hydrology 3 citations
Article Tier 2

A multidimensional approach for microplastics monitoring in two major tropical river basins, Malaysia

Researchers conducted a multidimensional assessment of microplastic distribution in surface waters of two major Malaysian river basins, providing much-needed field data on microplastic emissions from Asian rivers known to be major contributors to ocean pollution.

2023 Environmental Research 43 citations
Article Tier 2

Evidence of microplastics pollution in coastal beaches and waters in southern Sri Lanka

Researchers found microplastic pollution along 91 km of coastline in southern Sri Lanka, with 60% of beach sand sites and 70% of surface water sites testing positive, characterizing the polymers, shapes, and colors present across the sampled coastal environments.

2018 Marine Pollution Bulletin 130 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics pollution in the river Karnaphuli: a preliminary study on a tidal confluence river in the southeast coast of Bangladesh

Researchers found high concentrations of microplastics in the surface water and sediments of Bangladesh's Karnaphuli River, with downstream areas showing the greatest abundance, fibers as the dominant type, and polyethylene terephthalate as the most common polymer.

2022 Environmental Science and Pollution Research 32 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics pollution in inland aquatic ecosystems of India with a global perspective on sources, composition, and spatial distribution

Researchers reviewed microplastic contamination in India's rivers, lakes, and wetlands, finding widespread pollution across water, sediment, and wildlife, with concentrations peaking during monsoon season due to runoff. The review highlights a critical gap: most studies don't account for how water flow and seasonal variation affect where microplastics go, making it hard to gauge the true health risk to people and ecosystems.

2024 Journal of Hydrology Regional Studies 18 citations
Article Tier 2

Influence of anthropogenic pressures on the microplastic distribution in the riverine-estuarine environment: A source-apportioning approach

Researchers traced the sources and distribution of microplastic pollution in the Kallada River and Ashtamudi Estuary system in India. Using a source-tracking approach, they identified fishing activities, wastewater discharge, and solid waste dumping as major contributors, with cage farming zones showing the highest contamination levels. The study demonstrates how different human activities create distinct patterns of microplastic pollution in connected river and estuary environments.

2025 Journal of Contaminant Hydrology 4 citations
Article Tier 2

Assessment of Microplastic Contamination in the Sediments of Adyar River, Chennai: Distribution and Source Identification

This study assessed microplastic contamination in sediments of the Adyar River in Chennai, India, documenting spatial distribution patterns, dominant polymer types including polyethylene and polypropylene, and identifying probable sources through correlation with land use.

2024
Article Tier 2

Characterization and spatial distribution of microplastics in Surma river, Bangladesh: Assessing water and sediment dynamics

Researchers characterized the abundance, distribution, and types of microplastics in the water and sediments of the Surma River in Bangladesh. They found widespread microplastic contamination, with fibers being the dominant particle shape, linked to nearby textile and urban sources. The study provides baseline data on microplastic pollution in a major South Asian river system and highlights the need for mitigation strategies.

2024 Water Environment Research 13 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in Freshwater Environments – With Special Focus on the Indian Scenario

This review examines microplastic pollution in freshwater environments globally with a focus on the Indian context, finding that despite India being one of the world's largest contributors to marine plastic pollution, freshwater microplastic research in India remains almost entirely absent, and calling for systematic river catchment monitoring to quantify land-to-ocean plastic fluxes.

2022
Article Tier 2

Microplastics pollution in selected rivers from Southeast Asia

Researchers surveyed microplastic pollution in rivers across Southeast Asia, a region with high plastic waste discharge but limited monitoring data, documenting the distribution and characteristics of microplastics in these understudied waterways.

2022 APN Science Bulletin 28 citations
Article Tier 2

Extent and distribution of microplastic contamination in the benthic sediment of Turag river in Bangladesh

Researchers quantified microplastic contamination in benthic sediments of the Turag River in Bangladesh, finding widespread microplastic accumulation that poses threats to benthic communities and highlights a significant knowledge gap in freshwater sediment microplastic studies.

2022 Global NEST International Conference on Environmental Science & Technology
Article Tier 2

Abundance and Distribution of Microplastics in Surface Water and Sediment of Two Selected Rivers in Bangladesh

Researchers found microplastics in both surface water and sediment of the Jamuna and Turag Rivers in Bangladesh, identifying 145 and 261 microplastic particles respectively across sampling stations, highlighting emerging plastic pollution in South Asian freshwater systems.

2022 Environmental Engineering and Management Journal 20 citations
Article Tier 2

Water quality and floating microplastics pollution along Southern to Northwestern Coast, Sri Lanka

Researchers surveyed microplastic levels and water quality at 12 coastal sites along Sri Lanka's western and southern coast, finding microplastics present at all locations with fibers being the dominant form. The study also found correlations between microplastic abundance and certain water quality parameters, suggesting that areas with poorer water quality tended to have higher plastic loads. The research adds to growing evidence that South Asian coastal waters are significantly contaminated with microplastics, with potential implications for marine food webs and fishing communities.

2025 Sri Lanka Journal of Aquatic Sciences 1 citations