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Papers
61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Beneath the Surface: Assessing the Spatio-Temporal Distribution of Microplastics in Lake Champlain and its Tributaries
ClearPlastics in Paradise: Quantifying Microplastics in Lake Champlain Beaches
Researchers quantified and characterized microplastics on Lake Champlain beaches, finding contamination at all sampled sites with fragments and fibers as the dominant particle types. The study documents that even inland freshwater shorelines accumulate significant microplastic loads over time.
From Beach to Basin: Assessing the Spatio-temporal Distribution of Microplastics in Lake Champlain
Researchers investigated the spatio-temporal distribution of pre-production plastic pellets in Lake Champlain, examining pollution pathways including roadways, railways, and manufacturing outflows that transport these primary microplastics to freshwater shorelines and basins.
Microplastic Pollution in Surface Waters and Sediments of Urban Lake
This book chapter reviews microplastic pollution in urban lake surface waters and sediments, describing sources, distribution patterns, and the ecological consequences of MP accumulation in these widely used but understudied freshwater habitats.
Microplastics in lakeshore and lakebed sediments – External influences and temporal and spatial variabilities of concentrations
This study examined spatial and temporal variation in microplastic concentrations in lakeshore and lakebed sediments, finding that external inputs, lake hydrodynamics, and seasonal factors all contributed to heterogeneous distribution patterns.
Tracing the journey of microplastics in lake from surface water to accumulation in the sediments
Researchers conducted a comprehensive seasonal monitoring study of microplastics in an urban lake in Latvia, tracking distribution in surface water, measuring sediment deposition rates over one year, and analyzing dated sediment archives to determine which environmental compartment best represents long-term microplastic pollution trends. The study aimed to identify the most suitable monitoring matrix and establish standardized sampling protocols for freshwater microplastic research.
Vertical Distribution of Microplastics in the Water Column and Surficial Sediment from the Milwaukee River Basin to Lake Michigan
Microplastics were measured in water surface, water subsurface, and sediment samples along the Milwaukee River continuum to Lake Michigan, finding density-dependent vertical distribution with low-density polymers concentrated at the surface and high-density polymers in sediments. The study demonstrates a clear polymer partitioning pattern with depth in freshwater systems.
Microplastic Pollution in a Canal: Seasonal and Spatial Impact
Researchers examined seasonal and spatial patterns of microplastic pollution in a canal environment, characterising how particle concentrations vary across locations and time periods to better understand microplastic dynamics in tributary waterways.
Variability of microplastic loading and retention in four inland lakes in Minnesota, USA
Researchers measured microplastic levels in four small lakes in Minnesota and found that watershed size and urban development were the biggest factors driving contamination. Surface water concentrations varied widely, and sediment levels did not directly correlate with what was found in the water above. The study highlights how local land use patterns influence where microplastics end up in freshwater ecosystems.
A Survey of Microplastics in Invertebrates in the Lake Champlain Basin
This study investigated microplastic ingestion by aquatic macroinvertebrates in the Lake Champlain basin, finding microplastics in multiple invertebrate species at various sites. The results confirm that microplastics have entered the base of the food web in this large North American freshwater lake.
Spatial and temporal distribution of microplastics in water and sediments of a freshwater system (Antuã River, Portugal)
This study tracked the spatial and temporal distribution of microplastics in water and sediments of a freshwater lake, finding seasonal variation in microplastic concentrations and identifying local land use and runoff as key drivers of contamination patterns.
Spatiotemporal variation in microplastic contamination along a subtropical reservoir shoreline
Researchers tracked microplastic contamination along the shoreline of a subtropical reservoir over two years and found that microplastic abundance was higher near urban areas and varied with season, with storm-related inputs creating significant temporal spikes.
Land Use and Rainfall as Drivers of Microplastic Transport in Canal Systems: A Case Study from Upstate New York
Researchers investigated microplastic contamination across a canal system in upstate New York, examining how land use and rainfall patterns influence microplastic abundance, distribution, and characteristics. They found significant land-use-dependent variation in contamination, with mean water column concentrations of 17 items/L, and that rainfall events mobilized microplastics differently across agricultural, residential, and impervious-surface sites.
Temporal/Spatial Trends and Concentrations of Microplastics in Streams Throughout the Central Illinois Watersheds
This study measured microplastic concentrations across streams in a U.S. city, finding elevated levels downstream of wastewater treatment plants and in urban waterways. The results highlight urban wastewater discharge as a key pathway delivering microplastics from everyday activities — including laundry — into freshwater systems.
Review of microplastics in lakes: sources, distribution characteristics, and environmental effects
This review analyzes microplastic pollution in lakes worldwide and finds that contamination levels are higher in shallower lakes near populated areas with more human activity. Microplastics accumulate heavily in lake sediments and can also be trapped in seasonal ice, only to be released during warming periods. Since many communities rely on lakes for drinking water and fishing, understanding how microplastics concentrate in these freshwater systems is critical for protecting public health.
Distribution, abundance, and diversity of microplastics in the upper St. Lawrence River
This study quantified the abundance, distribution, and diversity of microplastics in sediments of the St. Lawrence River, Canada, extending previous work on large polyethylene microbeads to a broader range of particle sizes and types. The results revealed widespread microplastic contamination across the river system, with urban areas showing the highest concentrations.
Seasonal variation characteristics of microplastics in water environment of lakes with different functions
Researchers characterized seasonal variation in microplastic types, concentrations, and size distributions in lake water environments, finding that microplastic abundance peaked in warmer months and correlated with recreational activity and runoff events. Fibres and fragments dominated year-round, but film particles increased during agricultural seasons, pointing to plastic mulch as a contributing source.
A Multicompartment Assessment of Microplastic Contamination in Semi-remote Boreal Lakes
Researchers assessed microplastic contamination across multiple compartments of semi-remote boreal lakes in northwestern Ontario, Canada. The study found that microplastics were present even in these relatively isolated oligotrophic lakes, with fibers being the dominant particle type, suggesting atmospheric deposition and limited local sources as likely pathways.
Impact of land cover on microplastics accumulation in freshwater sediments
Researchers tracked microplastic accumulation in freshwater sediments across sites with different land cover types, examining temporal trends to understand how land use affects plastic discharge into waterways. Land cover type was a significant predictor of sediment microplastic concentration, with urbanized and agricultural catchments showing higher accumulation.
A Survey of Microplastic Pollution from Wastewater Treatment Plant Effluent Within the Lake Champlain Basin
A survey of wastewater treatment plant effluent found that microplastics — primarily fibers from synthetic clothing — pass through treatment processes and are discharged to waterways. The study highlights treated wastewater as a major pathway for microfiber microplastics to enter rivers and coastal waters.
Plastic pollution in Swiss surface waters: nature and concentrations, interaction with pollutants
Researchers surveyed microplastic pollution in Swiss surface waters including multiple lakes and rivers. The study confirmed the presence of microplastics in Swiss freshwater environments and investigated interactions between microplastics and chemical pollutants, expanding the data on freshwater microplastic contamination beyond the initial findings from Lake Geneva.
Sources and sinks of microplastics in Canadian Lake Ontario nearshore, tributary and beach sediments
Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination in Lake Ontario sediments from nearshore areas, tributaries, and beaches to map pollution patterns. They found the highest concentrations near urban and industrial zones, particularly in Toronto Harbour, where levels exceeded 500 particles per kilogram of sediment. The study identifies wastewater outflows and urban runoff as key sources of microplastic pollution in the Great Lakes region.
Understanding the seasonal variation of the microplastics occurrence and source in the water source: upstream of the Huangpu River in Shanghai as an example
This study examined seasonal variation in microplastic occurrence and potential sources in a monitored water system, finding higher MP concentrations during warmer months and identifying runoff from plastic-intensive land uses as the dominant seasonal driver.
Spatial and temporal variations of microplastic concentrations in Portland's freshwater ecosystems
Microplastic concentrations were monitored across Portland's urban freshwater ecosystems, revealing that land use, stormwater inputs, and seasonal variation all influenced plastic levels in rivers and streams. The study found that urban catchments with higher impervious surfaces consistently showed elevated microplastic concentrations.
Global microplastic contamination in freshwater lakes: Spatial patterns, environmental drivers, and methodological challenges
This review systematically analyzed 84 studies covering more than 300 lakes worldwide to assess global microplastic contamination in freshwater lake systems. Surface water MP concentrations ranged from below 0.001 to over 200 MP/L, with fibers and fragments dominating, polyethylene and polypropylene most common, and highest levels found in shallow, lowland, and eutrophic systems near urbanized shorelines.