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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Adherence of Polystyrene Microspheres on Cave Sediment: Implications for Organic Contaminants and Microplastics in Karst Systems
ClearMicroplastic particles in karst and alluvial aquifers
Researchers studied microplastic particle occurrence and distribution in karst and alluvial aquifer systems, investigating how these subsurface environments serve as sinks or conduits for plastic pollution. The study contributed data on groundwater microplastic contamination in geologically distinct aquifer types.
Quantifying anthropogenic microparticle contamination in cave sediments: spatial heterogeneity matters
Microplastics and other anthropogenic particles were quantified in cave sediments, providing a record of atmospheric and terrestrial contamination reaching underground environments. The presence of microplastics in caves demonstrates the pervasive spread of plastic pollution into even secluded geological environments.
Microplastic pollution in show cave sediments: First evidence and detection technique
Microplastic particles were detected for the first time in the sediments of a show cave in Spain, establishing that caves and karst aquifers are not insulated from surface plastic pollution and that sediment deposition in these environments can archive records of microplastic contamination.
Preliminary investigations of microplastic pollution in karst systems, from surface watercourses to cave waters
This study collected water samples from surface streams and connected cave waters in a karst system in Italy to document microplastic pollution in groundwater-linked environments. Microplastics including fibers and fragments were detected throughout the karst system, demonstrating that plastics infiltrate even protected underground aquifers.
The problem of anthropogenic microfibres in karst systems: Assessment of water and submerged sediments
Researchers assessed anthropogenic microfiber contamination in karst cave systems by analyzing water and submerged sediment samples. They found that both synthetic and natural microfibres were widespread throughout the karst environments, with sediments accumulating higher concentrations than water samples. The study raises concerns about microfiber pollution reaching underground water systems that serve as important drinking water reserves.
Microplastic pollution calls for urgent investigations in stygobiont habitats: A case study from Classical karst
Researchers examined microplastic pollution in karst cave systems in the Classical Karst region, finding that these underground habitats harbor significant contamination. The study suggests that vulnerable cave-dwelling species may be consuming microplastics, which could undermine conservation efforts for protected groundwater ecosystems and the species that depend on them.
Microplastic particles in karst and alluvial aquifers
Researchers investigated the occurrence and characteristics of microplastic particles in both karst and alluvial aquifer systems, examining how plastic particles migrate through these distinct subsurface geological environments. The study addressed a significant knowledge gap regarding groundwater contamination by microplastics in aquifers that differ in their hydrogeological properties and filtration capacity.
Microplastics in karstic systems: a review of sources, transport paths and storage
This repository contains geospatial data and bibliographic records supporting a review of microplastic pollution in karst (limestone cave and sinkhole) systems, mapping where microplastics have been detected across these ecologically important groundwater environments. Karst systems supply drinking water to roughly a quarter of the world's population, making microplastic contamination there a significant but understudied human health concern.
Microplastic pollution in vulnerable karst environments: case study from the Slovenian classical karst region
Researchers sampled karst springs, caves, and other habitats in Slovenia's classical karst region and detected microplastics across multiple sites, including springs used for drinking water, raising concerns about plastic contamination of these ecologically sensitive and hydrologically connected underground environments.
Spatial distribution characteristics and migration of microplastics in surface water, groundwater and sediment in karst areas: The case of Yulong River in Guilin, Southwest China
Researchers investigated microplastic distribution in surface water, sediment, and groundwater in the karst landscape of the Yulong River in Guilin, China. They found microplastic pollution across all water compartments, with living areas showing the highest contamination and tourism-related disposable plastics identified as a primary source. The study suggests that microplastics reach groundwater through hydraulic exchange with surface water in karst areas rather than through soil infiltration.
The invisible problem of microplastics and microfibres in karst systems and aquifers: a multidisciplinary approach
This thesis investigates how microplastics and microfibres move through karst (limestone) systems and underground aquifers using a multidisciplinary approach, a concern because karst aquifers supply drinking water to roughly a quarter of the global population and are particularly vulnerable to contamination given their direct hydraulic connections to the surface.
Preliminary Study on the Distribution, Source, and Ecological Risk of Typical Microplastics in Karst Groundwater in Guizhou Province, China
Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination in karst groundwater across Guizhou Province, China, finding concentrations ranging from about 2 to 10 particles per liter. The dominant types were polystyrene and polyethylene, primarily in film and fiber forms. The study found that rainfall events significantly increased microplastic abundance and movement in karst groundwater, and that most sampling sites showed low ecological risk under normal conditions.
Microplastic Contamination in Karst Groundwater Systems
Springs and wells from two karst aquifers in Illinois were found to contain microplastics exclusively as fibers (up to 15.2 particles/L), with their presence correlated with phosphate, chloride, and triclosan, suggesting septic effluent as the source. The study demonstrates that karst groundwater systems used for drinking water are vulnerable to microplastic contamination infiltrating through their open, conduit-dominated architecture.
Floods enhance the abundance and diversity of anthropogenic microparticles (including microplastics and treated cellulose) transported through karst systems
This study examined how flood events affect microplastic transport through karst (limestone cave) water systems. Researchers found that floods dramatically increased both the amount and variety of microplastic particles moving through underground waterways. The findings matter because karst systems supply drinking water to about 25% of the global population, and flood-driven pulses of microplastics could contaminate these water sources.
(Micro-)Plastics in Saturated and Unsaturated Groundwater Bodies: First Evidence of Presence in Groundwater Fauna and Habitats
Researchers investigated microplastic contamination in three Italian groundwater systems, including karst caves and an alluvial aquifer, providing early evidence that microplastics are present in underground water habitats. The study also found that groundwater-dwelling invertebrates had ingested microplastic particles, raising concerns about pollution impacts on these fragile and largely unstudied ecosystems.
Microplastic particles investigation in karst aquifer (Zvenigorod, Russia)
Researchers investigated microplastic particle presence and distribution in a karst aquifer near Zvenigorod, Russia, finding that single-use plastics and inadequate waste management are contributing to groundwater MP contamination even in this relatively protected geological setting.
Seasonal dynamics and typology of microplastic pollution in Huixian karst wetland groundwater: Implications for ecosystem health
Researchers tracked microplastic levels in groundwater beneath a karst wetland in China across seasons, finding contamination ranging from about 1 to 49 particles per liter. The unique cave-and-underground-river geology of karst regions allows microplastics to migrate from the surface into groundwater more easily than in other terrains, with agricultural runoff and domestic wastewater identified as the main pollution sources.
Cave sediment sequesters anthropogenic microparticles (including microplastics and modified cellulose) in subsurface environments
Researchers sampled water and sediment from a US cave during a flood event and found anthropogenic microparticles at all sites, with sediment concentrations roughly 100 times higher than in water, demonstrating that cave sediments sequester microplastic and cellulosic fiber pollution in subsurface environments.
The invisible environmental impact of tourism in show caves: microplastic pollution in three Italian show caves
This study found microplastic contamination in sediment deposits of three show caves in northwestern Italy, including a cave that serves as a drinking water reservoir. The results show that even remote underground ecosystems are not protected from microplastic pollution, posing potential risks to groundwater quality.
Extensive abundances and characteristics of microplastic pollution in the karst hyporheic zones of urban rivers
Researchers found high microplastic abundances — averaging 2,273 items per kilogram — in river sediments across ten karst cities in southwest China, with polyamide the dominant polymer, highlighting the elevated pollution risk in karst ecosystems where contaminants travel long distances underground.
Above and in the underground: Linking microplastic patterns in cave and surface crustaceans along a karst river stretch
This pilot study compared microplastic contamination in surface-dwelling and cave-dwelling crustaceans (amphipods and isopods) from the same karst river in Slovenia. Both surface and cave species contained microplastics, indicating that even subterranean habitats receive contamination, likely via the sinking river system.
Effects of physicochemical factors on transport and retention of polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) in homogeneous and heterogeneous saturated porous media
Researchers studied how polystyrene microplastics move through different types of underground soil and sand formations. They found that smaller sand grains, higher salt concentrations, and the presence of calcium ions all increased microplastic retention, while mixed soil layers created preferential flow paths that allowed some particles to break through faster. The findings help explain how microplastics could potentially contaminate groundwater aquifers.
Microplastics in karst ecosystems and its impact on drinking water quality
This doctoral dissertation investigated microplastic contamination in karst ecosystems — including springs, lakes, air, rainwater, and sediment — in Slovenia, with a focus on drinking water sources that serve over 20,000 residents. The research found microplastics present across all sampled environments and aimed to identify pollution sources and transport pathways to help protect vulnerable karst groundwater supplies.
Subterranean transport of microplastics as evidenced in karst springs and their characterization using Raman spectroscopy
Raman micro-spectroscopy confirmed the presence of microplastics in karst spring water from rural Romania, with concentrations of 0.034-0.06 fragments or fibres per liter, demonstrating subterranean transport of microplastics through karst aquifer systems.